European Commission to cancel import certificates for Moroccan tomatoes
Morocco-European Union, Politics, 1/18/2000

The European Commission has decided to abrogate at the latest by February 1 the regulation requiring import certificates for Moroccan tomatoes.

The decision was made in Brussels on Monday at the end of talks between Moroccan and European experts and after a lengthy work session between the European commissioner for agriculture, rural development and fisheries, Franz Fischler, and Morocco's secretary of state for foreign affairs, Taib Fassi Fihri.

The Moroccan delegation which started a visit to Brussels on Sunday for technical consultations and political contacts was primarily seeking to obtain the cancellation of the import certificate system enforced as of January 1. Professional and official circles deemed the requirement constraining on the administrative level and contrary to the essence and form of the association accord signed by Morocco and the European Union in 1996.

The Moroccan delegation also wanted to get assurances that the export ceilings wished by Moroccan tomato growers and exporters will be respected.

Fassi Fihri told MAP that, "These goals were fulfilled as the import certificates system will be abrogated at the latest by February 1 and that the quantities to be exported between January and March have been set at 90,200 tons."

The enforcement of the association accord, probably by next March, will enable the two sides to use the mechanisms provided by the accord to manage the coming campaigns.

As to the issue of fisheries, Fihri said his trip to Brussels was exclusively devoted to the question of tomato exports, reiterating, however, Morocco's stand on the issue.

The European Union decision to require import certificates for Moroccan tomatoes has been decried by Moroccan producers and exporters as contrary to mutual commitment to marshal partnership preserving the interests of both sides, and as having an adverse impact on Moroccan economy.

The Moroccan official is also to pay a working visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg to look into aspects of Morocco-EU cooperation.

Fihri will probe with heads of European institutions-- including vice-chairwoman of the European commission, Loyola Palacio, Commissioner in charge of foreign relations, Christopher Paten and Speaker of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine-- issues pertaining to the enforcement of the association agreement.

Previous Stories:
  Trade federation denounces EU tomato import requirements   (1/17/2000)
  Fassi Fihri on European Parliament work visit   (1/17/2000)
  Tomato growers protest EU import certificate requirement   (1/13/2000)

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