"The agreement violates the rights of European consumers. They will not be able to distinguish whether a product labelled as 'Moroccan' are in fact from that country, of if they are from Western Sahara", COAG wrote in a release today.
"European legislation establishes that agricultural products sold fresh can only be sold if they are clearly marked with its country of origin", COAG noted.
They underlined that the UN does not recognise Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Therefore, they stated, it was a positive development that the Dutch government clarified that the EU consumers cannot be told a product is Morocco if in fact it is from Western Sahara. The statement also shows images of some of the 11 plantations that WSRW mentioned in the report "Label and Liability" earlier this year.
Europe has this autumn been overflown by extremely cheap agricultural products from Morocco. Morocco's agricultural industry in occupied Western Sahara is experiencing a large boost. The commercial plantations are owned by the Moroccan king himself, or of wealthy Moroccan businessesmen.
UN former legal chief stated regarding a similar agreement - that of EU fisheries in Western Sahara - that it would be in violation of international law if twas used for the territory of Western Sahara.
EU Court adviser: fruit from Western Sahara should not be labelled as from Morocco
Labelling those products as originating in the Kingdom of Morocco instead of originating in Western Sahara breaches EU law, the Advocate General of the EU Court of Justice concludes.
WSRW calls on Engie to release Global Diligence study
The controversial assessment that Global Diligence did on occupied Western Sahara for a project that will employ thousands of Moroccan settlers need to be released by French company Engie, WSRW demands in a letter.
Engie consistent in ignoring international law
Throughout its impact studies, relations with the Moroccan government and partners, and a recent announcement of arrival of windmills to occupied Western Sahara, Engie has shown a total disregard for the UN's approach to the conflict.
The first Engie windmills have entered occupied Western Sahara
This week, the first components that will be used for Engie' highly problematic windmill programme in Western Sahara have arrived to the occupied territory.