EU and Morocco agree to step up mutual farm trade

The EU and Morocco have reached an agreement that will allow almost all of Morocco's agricultural projects to benefit from preferential treatment. For tomatoes, the EU has offered Morocco better market access, while at the same time taking account of the sensitivity of this product in the EU and respecting the mandate given by the Council. The agreement provides for fixed monthly import quotas at zero duty, amounting to 175 000 tonnes a marketing year (from October to May). In addition, a global additional quota (15 000 tonnes) may be used between November and May. This additional quota will be progressively increased during the three campaigns which follow the 2003/2004 marketing year to reach 45 000 tonnes at the end of this period. However, if the total of Moroccan exports of tomatoes during one campaign exceeds the sum of contingents then in force, a quantity of 20000 t will be deducted from the additional contingent. Marketing year EU tomato import quota 2003/2004 175 000 t 2004/2005 190 000 t 2005/2006 210 000 t 2006/2007 and following 220 000 t Morocco is ready to open its market for EU soft wheat. EU exports will benefit from a tariff reduction of 38% for a quantity of 1 060 000 tonnes. However, if the Moroccan production exceeds 2.1 million tonnes for a given campaign, the preferential quantity will be reduced on a linear basis. If the Moroccan production is equal or larger than 3 million tonnes the preferential import quota to a minimum of 400 000 tonnes. Regarding the import duties, a mechanism is being put in place to compensate the effects of eventual fluctuations. The agreement comprises tariff reductions and the increase of import quotas for many agriculture products, such as milk and cream, poultry, eggs, butter, cheese, dried vegetables, peas, garlic, apples, pears, dry fruits, cereals (soft wheat, barley, maize, rice) or vegetables oils. The parties will meet again in 2007 to agree on further liberalisation steps from 2008 onwards.