DR ‹ › Representatives of the Tomato Contact Group, bringing together France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, have called for a revision of the agricultural agreement between the European Union and Morocco. The request was made during a meeting held on February 10–11 in Torres Vedras, Portugal, according to a specialized media outlet on Thursday, February 19. Spanish producers used the meeting to express concerns about the agreement's impact on the European market. They argue that the current provisions have already weakened Spain's position as the EU's leading tomato supplier. They also fear that the revised agreement, adopted on October 2, could further affect the sector by extending trade preferences to products originating from Western Sahara. Projections discussed at the meeting suggest that cultivated areas could expand to 13,000 hectares by 2030, largely geared toward exports to Europe. European producers say this would intensify competition in an already saturated market. Concerns were also raised over labeling rules for fruits and vegetables. Producers argue that the new marketing standards may not clearly indicate the origin of products, potentially confusing consumers and undermining market transparency. In response, the Spanish delegation called for coordinated action to influence the European Parliament's decision on ratifying the amended EU-Morocco agreement. The move forms part of a broader wave of protest, supported in particular by France's Confédération Paysanne and Spain's Coordination of Farmers and Livestock Breeders' Organizations (COAG), which claim the revised agricultural deal harms the competitiveness of European producers.
