Morocco turns against EU.

MOROCCAN FARMERS PROTESTED BEFORE THE EC HEADQUARTERS ABOUT THE CHANGE IN ENTRY PRICES. The Moroccan press emphasizes these days that this change in the markets will lead to the ruin of the Moroccan tomato sector, and will cause loss of 35.000 jobs and some 156 million euros that represent the counterpart sales of Moroccan tomatoes to the EU.They accuse the European Union of not respecting the agricultural agreement and of “having hit the dignity of Morocco”, by modifying the price of access for fruits and vegetables to European markets contemplated in the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, which includes changes in the prices of agricultural products.

El portavoz of the “Moroccan Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Vegetables” (APEFEL), Omar Mounir, has indicated that this decision “has hit the dignity of Morocco” and has negatively surprised the sector, because it shows that the European Union “does not respect the agricultural agreement”.

The Moroccan Government has expressed its “great concern” by the adoption by the EC of a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy that includes changes in the prices of agricultural products.

The APEFEL spokesperson denounced that the EC has not taken Morocco into account when making this decision and recalled that the change in prices could mean the loss of jobs - the agricultural sector is the country's first employer.- and the failure of the investments made by many businessmen after the signing of the agreement in 2012.

The director general of the EC Agriculture Directorate is expected to, Jerzy Plewa, visit next 23 April Morocco and discuss with your Moroccan colleagues the technical issues of this measure, which must still be ratified by Parliament.

The EU ambassador in Rabat, Rupert Joy, has indicated in a statement that the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union approved certain changes in the regulations of agricultural markets last year to simplify the payment system for customs duties on goods., as well as the calculation of these rights.

“This new system applies uniformly to all fruits and vegetables imported into Europe from all over the world., and is not a measure specifically intended for Moroccan products”, the ambassador justified, who added that with this change the new system is in line with the community customs code.

The ambassador also highlighted that the EC is sensitive to the concerns expressed by the Moroccan authorities, who have informed you that this change will have a negative impact on Moroccan exports of fruits and vegetables. “The European Commission is committed to its trade relations with Morocco and will ensure that any concerns on this matter are taken into account.”, concluded.

The Moroccan press emphasizes these days that this change in the markets will lead to the ruin of the Moroccan tomato sector and will cause the loss of 35.000 jobs and some 156 million euros that represent the counterpart sales of Moroccan tomatoes to the EU. Moroccan farmers demonstrated in Rabat in front of the European Commission headquarters (CE) in protest at the decision to modify the access price of fruits and vegetables in European markets.