EU in farm battle with Morocco
4 February 2000
EU in farm battle with Morocco
THE European Unions trade and political partnership accord with Morocco may have to be renegotiated following a dispute between the two countries over agricultural exports.
The accord, due to come into effect on 1 March, allows Morocco tax-free access to the European market for agricultural goods.
But a row has blown up over whether Morocco can export beyond the tax-free quota agreed with the EU.
There were violent confrontations between Spanish farmers and lorry drivers transporting Moroccan goods through the Spanish port of Algeciras last week.
The EU had reversed a decision to demand import licences from European fruit and vegetable traders importing Moroccan tomatoes.
Spanish farmers are demanding that the licences be retained.
- Morocco beset by drought and rain, FWi, 20 December, 1999
- Financial Times 04/02/2000 page 12