COAG reminds the Minister Espinosa who vote in favour of the EU-Morocco agreement goes against Spanish fruit and vegetable producers
September 15, 2010
Once approved by the European Commission, the agreement must be yet ratified by the Council of Ministers of the EU and by the European Parliament, as well as by the Alaouite Kingdom. Since Coag required firmness to the Spanish Government so that its vote in the Council is contrary to the renewal of the agreement. "It is high time that the Espinosa Minister defends the interests of one of" the most important sectors of agriculture Spanish and do not allow us to pass over again. Spain should lead a front of the "Mediterranean countries of the EU and seek allies to halt the ratification of the agreement in the Council", said Andrew Góngora, responsible for the sector of fruits and vegetables of Coag thereon.
On the other hand, the agrarian organization requests sensitivity and responsibility Spanish MEPs of the European Parliament towards the problems affecting farmers. "It cannot progress the liberalisation of trade in the agricultural chapter with Morocco while not ensure the monitoring, control and compliance with the agreement into force and until not included provisions on labour, social and environmental conditions in Morocco and compensatory measures for affected farmers".
Earlier this year, Coag moved against the renewal of the agreement, by demonstrations as that which took place in Granada at the beginning of the month of March coinciding with the celebration of the EU-Morocco Summit, as well as over actions of pressure at European level. In the month of June, representatives of Coag met with various MEPs of the committees on Agriculture and international trade to enlist their support and request that it is not ratified the agreement in the European Parliament. Among other actions, the organization also participated in the elaboration of various opinions of the Committee European economic and Social, which was able to enter their claims and disseminate a mass mailing of letters to 250 MEPs by the organizations of the Joint Committee franco-hispano - Italianclaiming the non-ratification of the agreement. A pressure will which does not continue, by Coag, during the coming months in order to prevent the ratification of the agreement.