In today's plenary session, 369 MEPs voted in favour, 225 against and 31 abstained on an agreement that will allow more Moroccan products to enter the EU market.
The new trade regime for agricultural and fisheries products provides for an almost total liberalisation for most products, but contains volume restrictions or tariff quotas for a list of products which are considered "sensitive" to the European Union. These specific conditions apply to tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, tangerines, garlic, zucchini and sugar.
The agreement fails, however, to specify that production of Western Sahara must be excluded. In its recent report "Conflict Tomatoes", WSRW identified 11 farms in the vicinity of Dakhla, in the south of Western Sahara. All are owned by either French-Moroccan conglomerates or the king of Morocco. These illegal agricultural sites could now be put in competition with the European Union's own producers.
For months, agricultural organisations from the south of Europe have expressed their opposition to the deal. Morocco presents a tough competitor for them, not having to comply with the same environmental and labour standards as the European farmers.
Sharing these concerns, a significant minority of MEPs refused to consent to the deal. Opponents also cited the inclusion of Western Sahara in the agreement as being in violation of international law.
Morocco occupied Western Sahara in 1975, and severely suppresses the Saharawi people who ask for their right to self-determination be respected. More than 100 UN resolutions call for the right to self-determination for the people of Western Sahara - but Morocco continues to thwart the exercise thereof.
The agreement will not enter into force before 1 May.
One of the richest coastlines in the world
The fish stocks of occupied Western Sahara have not only attracted the interest of the Moroccan fleet: other foreign interests are also fishing in the occupied waters through arrangements with Moroccan counterparts. Along the Western Saharan coastline, a processing industry has emerged.
The CJEU Court Cases
Keeping track of the many legal proceedings relating to Western Sahara is not easy. This page offers an overview of the cases concerning the territory that have been before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
Tūhana human rights advisors ignore human rights
A consultancy hired to assess phosphate imports from occupied Western Sahara into New Zealand concludes there is no problem.
MEPs push back on Commission over Western Sahara in EU–Morocco trade
MEPs from across the political spectrum sharply criticised the European Commission over its handling of EU-Morocco trade relations covering occupied Western Sahara, raising concerns over legality, transparency and an apparent disregard for Parliament’s role.