The central Government, to questions from the Plural Left and Congresswoman Ana Oramas (Canary Coalition) asking about the impact of the renewed Partnership Agreement with Morocco by the European Union, has responded in writing that
the pact will have some limited effect. This information was made known by Agencia Efe. According to this agency, in the answers given, the Government has stated that concessions with Moroccan products will not interfere "significantly" on markets or prices. Also, The Executive understands that control mechanisms, quotas and entry prices to ensure products being sold at the minimum quota, must be kept. Furthermore, "if they exceed the quota, tariff rights are paid." These responses have made the agricultural organizations of Almeria react. Almeria is one of the areas where the greatest impact caused by Agreement between the European Union and Morocco has suffered. The region expressed their rejections to the answers given by the Government on the issues raised by Canary Coalition and Plural Left.
The president of Asaja Almeria, Francisco Vargas commented to IDEAL that these are "Unfortunate" answers since "members of the Government said that this Agreement was bad for the national horticulture, so now it is unacceptable for the Government to say that the Agreement between the EU and Morocco won´t significantly disrupt the market and prices." Notes Vargas, "it is possible that the short-term impact is less severe, but with the expansion plan of crops being developed in Morocco, with more than 700,000 hectares of olive groves, citrus and fresh produce, this agreement can be disastrous for Almeria."
On the same line, Andres Gongora secretary of Coag Almería, did not understand why "this party in the Government does not defend the same position as before winning the elections and become part of the Executive. A lot of time has not passed yet and it seems that what was a bad deal, now is not so." Gongora recalled the words of Miguel Arias Cañete, minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment, who claimed that "some study had to be done an the impact of this agreement to determine the effects it has on the Spanish productions." In this regard, the provincial secretary of Coag noted that it "Seems that a report no longer is required, because it is understood, with these responses, that it is already done."
Also Gongora states that it is as bad as the previous one or more, because besides "not having changed input prices that are below production costs, they have increased concessions, an aspect of the agreement that should be revised." Ultimately, Gongora said, "we do not really understand this new position that the Government has manifested."
Francisca Iglesias, Secretary General of UPA considers that there is no reason now for the Government to react. "This agreement that was signed worsens the situation because they made further concessions on volume, in addition to liberalizing the market between both countries for some horticultural products. Moreover, the control mechanisms are not even changed, so far the Government knows they have not worked." And, according to Iglesias, "we should unite once and for all throughout the EU the entry control system of third party products."
Source: Ideal