"We do not accept that standardized European products with the Moroccan label should be blocked," explains Youssef Alaoui, secretary general of the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development, following the blockades of the French-Spanish border last week.
"As farmers, we do not accept that standardized European products with the Moroccan label should be blocked. On May 15th, when goods were ransacked (a cargo of cherry tomatoes was unloaded onto the road)," explains the general secretary. As a response to accusations of non-compliance with environmental standards and unfair competition targeting imported products, for Moroccan tomatoes in particular, Youssef Alaoui claimed to be "complying fully with health standards, otherwise Moroccan tomatoes would not be marketed on French or European shelves. It would not be possible because there are inspection bodies, fraud control...and the Moroccan origin is clearly stated on the label."
As for social standards, "French and Spanish farmers mention the cost of labor in Morocco, which is lower than in France. As far as I know, there is a minimum wage in France, but I do not think it is the same throughout Europe. However, Italian, Romanian or Polish farmers are not asked to fall in line."
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Source: francetvinfo.fr