Bill in Spain seeks to pause Morocco trade deal if farm prices shift

Spain’s parliament is turning up the pressure on its trade deal with Morocco, saying it should be paused if it starts to seriously affect farmers.

Lawmakers approved a proposal on Monday that calls for stopping the agreement if agricultural prices or volumes change by 5% or more.

The vote passed with support mainly from the conservative bloc, while others, including the Socialist group, pushed back or abstained.

At the center of the dispute is whether the agreement respects rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union. Critics say it still allows products from the Moroccan Sahara to be sold as Moroccan, something the court has previously rejected.

Supporters of the proposal say stronger “safety nets” are needed to protect Spanish and European farmers from unfair competition. They also want stricter rules to ensure equal standards on both sides.

Meanwhile, opponents say the European Union already has safeguards in place and should continue maintaining trade ties.