FEPEXTHE REQUEST WAS MADE TO THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE IN THE FRAMEWORK OF AN INFORMATION MEETING.

The Government Commission of the Spanish Federation of Associations of Fruit Producers and Exporters, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants (FEPEX), in which they are integrated 30 associations distributed throughout the national territory, has held a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture,

Food and environment, Isabel García Tejerina, in which they have requested that strict compliance control be ensured with the new entry price regime approved by the European Union (EU), to avoid price crises due to fraud in the payment of import duties and not give in to pressure from Morocco.

The general director of FEPEX, José María Pozancos, has declared that this system is a historical demand of the Spanish sector, especially in the case of tomatoes. In this sense, recalled the complaints made by Spanish producers to the Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) for irregularities in Moroccan imports.

Morocco has rejected the modification of entry prices, because it makes it difficult to access their fruits and vegetables. Fepex has explained that within the European Commission (CE) a new document circulates, whose calculation proposals “would be emptied of content” the new regulation. “We know that there is pressure from Morocco and we are not willing to accept any counter-reform.” of the new pricing system, Pozancos added.

On the other hand, have addressed the Law for the Improvement of the functioning of the Food Chain and, in this sense, Fepex has demanded that exporters be exempt from this regulation in certain obligations regarding written contracts., which represent a “work” for foreign marketing.

Pozancos has indicated that if they had to comply, Spain would be the only country where its exporters would be obliged to requirements to which operators from other competing States are not subject..

During the meeting, proposals were offered to improve the competitiveness of the fruit and vegetable sector., among which stands out that of facilitating the expansion of the social and economic base of the Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organizations (OPFHs),

Fepex has proposed that an effective system be implemented that allows farmers to have phytosanitary products to fight pests "in conditions similar to countries around us or else the affected crops will move to those countries.".

They have also demanded that public administrations promote awareness campaigns in favor of healthy eating., based on the consumption of fruits and vegetables and sports, a fundamental measure to reduce growing childhood obesity and to curb high current and future health spending.