A new French law proposal has raised concerns for Moroccan farmers and exporters, as it could lead to a drop in the country’s agricultural exports to France.
The law, set for discussion in the French National Assembly on February 6, aims to tighten regulations on imported fruits and vegetables.
The proposal focuses on ensuring that products coming from non-EU countries, including Morocco, meet the same strict standards as those produced in France.
This has many fearing that it could unfairly target Moroccan products, which are a significant part of France’s fresh produce market.
Introduced in December 2024, the proposal has already passed through some stages, including a committee review, and is now close to becoming law.
Antoine Vermorel-Marques, a member of the French Republican Party, is behind the proposal, claiming it will protect French farmers from what they see as unfair competition. However, it has left both French importers and Moroccan exporters feeling uneasy about the future.
The deputy pointed out that “tomatoes from the Maghreb” are treated with a pesticide that has been banned in France for the last fifteen years.
Morocco is the largest supplier of fresh vegetables outside of Europe, with a significant portion of its exports going to France.
But the new law could introduce more restrictions, adding pressure on Moroccan products that are already facing challenges like labeling issues in French supermarkets.
The law would hold importers responsible for ensuring products meet EU standards and includes heavy penalties, such as fines of up to €150,000 or up to 10% of a company’s yearly sales for those who break the rules.
Morocco has been struggling with getting its farm products into international markets, mainly due to tough rules about pesticides.
The European Union, one of Morocco’s biggest trade partners, has very strict standards when it comes to pesticide residues. For example, fruits and vegetables from Morocco have to meet low levels of pesticide traces to be allowed into European stores.
Moroccan farmers often use pesticides that are banned or limited in the EU because they are considered risky for health or the environment. If crops have too much pesticide residue, they can be turned away, which costs Moroccan farmers money and hurts their reputation.
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