The agricultural organization ARAG-ASAJA has condemned what it calls a "new disloyalty" by the European Union toward the EU agricultural sector, following the modification of the trade agreement protocols between Europe and Morocco. According to the organization, this change will enable the entry of products from Western Sahara under the Moroccan label.
ARAG-ASAJA asserts that the European Commission's proposal represents a step backward in defending European producers and contravenes the ruling of the EU Court of Justice dated October 4, 2024. This ruling affirms that the Saharawi territory is distinct from Morocco and that any agreement involving its natural resources must be approved by the Saharawi people, as represented by the Polisario Front.
The organization warns that this "legal trap" opens the door to imports with more favorable production conditions than those in Europe, such as lower labor costs, more lenient phytosanitary rules, or tax benefits, which could intensify unfair competition for EU farmers.
It also recalls that the ruling requires clear labeling of products, such as cherry tomatoes and melons harvested in Western Sahara, ensuring they are not marked as "originating in Morocco" to promote transparency and prevent consumer confusion.
In this context, ARAG-ASAJA urges the immediate abolition of the agreement and calls for a review of import conditions, emphasizing the need to protect both European producers and public food safety.
Source: ARAG-ASAJA