Yesterday, the agricultural Protocol between the EU and Morocco came into force, the agreement rejected by FEPEX because it involves the liberalization of Moroccan fruit and vegetable exports to the EU market.
The protocol removes the ad valorem rights for all fruits and vegetables, except tomatoes, garlic, cucumber, zucchini, clementines and pears. For these products, tariff protection is also lower than in the previous agreement and the ad valorem rights are reduced by setting zero tariff quotas and reductions over quotas, which are 60% for tomato and 80% for Clementine for unlimited quantities.
Regarding input prices, the agreement provides for new concessions on products with reduced entry prices and unlimited amounts, as in the case of table grapes, apricots, peaches and nectarines. These concessions virtually dismantle the entry price system. The Agreement that came into effect yesterday, has had a long approval process:
Later, in July, the European Commission approved the Implementing Regulation (EU) No 701/2012, which regulated the modification of the entry price system. FEPEX will require this reform to respect the quotas established in the new agreement which comes into effect today.
Source: Fepex