European Parliament plenary tomorrow addresses the problem of irregular imports of tomatoes from Morocco.

EVASION OF PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL FEES WILL BE ADDRESSED, AMONG OTHER MATTERS.

This Thursday, The EP plenary session addresses the problem of irregular imports of tomatoes from Morocco and its impact on European producers.

MEP Erminia Mazzoni, chairwoman of Parliament's Petitions Committee, will question the Commission about the inexplicable lack of action against the common fraudulent practices in the importation of tomatoes from Morocco to the EU verified by the Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), such as evasion of paying additional duties when the prices of the imported product are below the entry prices of tomatoes in the EU.

Specifically, Explanations will be requested as to why no measure has been taken to modify the entry price regime in order to put an end to the abuses detected by OLAF.

In addition, will urge the Commission to adopt, immediately, a change in the entry price system in anticipation of the increase in tomato imports into the EU contemplated by the new Association agreement with Morocco.

At last, will request that measures be taken for the recovery of customs duties unpaid by Morocco.

Andres Gongora, responsible for the fruit and vegetable sector at COAG has detailed: “Import non-compliance, not only in tomatoes, They are constant and are repeated campaign after campaign. In the month of December 2010, Moroccan tomato exports to the EU reached 70.479 tn, doubling the established quota, while zucchini has entered on several occasions during this campaign below the entry price, as we already reported from this organization last January”.