“We will not allow trucks to be blocked, ransacked or turned over”, “we respect the standards”, assures the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture

Farmers block seven crossing points along the French-Spanish border on Monday June 3. There is no reason why imports “which respect environmental and labeling standards” should be blocked according to the Moroccan Confederation.

“We will not allow trucks to be blocked, vandalized or overturned” And “we respect environmental standards and labeling standards”, assures Youssef Alaoui, secretary general of the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development, on France Bleu Roussillon, Monday June 3.

French and Spanish farmers plan to block seven crossing points along the Franco-Spanish border, from the Basque Country to the Pyrénées-Orientales, this Monday. 3,000 to 4,000 people are expected, explained to franceinfo the “Ultras de l’A64”, who are leading this mobilization, which is not supported by the agricultural unions. These farmers want to influence the European vote and are demanding in particular common regulations throughout the EU on the issue of pesticides, but also on energy prices, including non-road diesel.

The A9 motorway is already closed in Leucate (Aude) in the France-Spain direction.“There are free trade agreements on both sides, recalls Youssef Alaoui. Moroccan cherry tomatoes represent only 10% of French consumption, meeting European standards perfectly. There are health checks carried out at the borders, it meets labeling standards perfectly, since the origin of Morocco is clearly indicated.”

French and European farmers criticize Morocco for charging wages ten times lower than in France. “Ten times lower? I also remain skeptical about this figure”, answers Youssef Alaoui. “When I know the average income of the French farmer which is around €500, I believe that we are not very far from the average salary of a Moroccan agricultural worker.”

Imports of cherry tomatoes on the French market represent “50,000 tons“. But according to the Moroccan Confederation, “French agriculture is largely profitable and has a surplus on Moroccan imports”. “Overall, France remains in surplus in terms of exports to Morocco, including French wheat, and as long as it perfectly meets import standards, it is completely normal for it to return, answers Youssef Alaoui. France also exports cheese, French agriculture is generally exporting and in free trade agreements, we must not look in a partial but global way.

The Secretary General of the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development “appeals to the French authorities to enforce the agreements”. “Do you think we will sit idly by if we actually touch our products? We will not allow trucks to be blocked, ransacked or turned over,” warns Youssef Alaoui.

“France is a state of law. As soon as the tomato has arrived in Europe, it has passed inspection, I do not see why it would be blocked, as long as we respect environmental standards and labeling standards “, insists Youssef Alaoui.