Légumes de France and the Tomatoes and Cucumbers of France association are delighted with two decisions handed down by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on October 4th. From now on, Western Sahara will no longer be able to benefit from the 2019 EU-Morocco trade agreement (C-399/22). This decision is "in line with a rebalancing of trade relations with Morocco," according to the two organizations in a joint press release dated October 15th. Another change is that tomatoes produced in this territory can no longer be labeled as originating from Morocco.
"The consent of the Western Sahara people to the implementation of the EU-Morocco trade agreements is a condition of validity"
According to the Court of Justice of the European Union, "the consent of the people of Western Sahara to the implementation of the 2019 EU-Morocco trade agreements on fisheries and agricultural products in that non-self-governing territory is a condition of validity of the decisions. Since a significant part of those people is now outside of that territory, those consultations were not likely to establish such consent on the part of those people."
Tomatoes (and melons) from Western Sahara must no longer have the Morocco label
"The labeling of Charentais melons and cherry tomatoes harvested in the territory of Western Sahara must indicate only Western Sahara as their country of origin." In a second ruling handed down on the same day, the CJEU found that tomatoes (and melons) from Western Sahara must be labeled as originating from that territory and no longer refer to Morocco. "Any other indication would be misleading, as it could mislead consumers as to the true origin of the products in question."
"Two rulings that should rebalance agricultural trade relations between the EU and Morocco"
Légumes de France and the Tomatoes and Cucumbers of France association have welcomed these two rulings, which should rebalance agricultural trade relations between the EU and Morocco. Between 2012 and 2013, Moroccan tomato exports to France jumped by 30%, from 303,100 to 394,000 tons. This increase is due in particular to the development of greenhouse production of cherry tomatoes in Western Sahara, under social and wage conditions that are impossible for French producers to compete with."
The two organizations are calling on the European Union and its member states to apply these two rulings within the deadlines set by the CJEU, and to relaunch the processes aimed at rebalancing trade relations in the tomato sector between Morocco and the EU.
For more information:
legumesdefrance.fr