The Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers’ Organizations of Almería (COEXPHAL) on Tuesday welcomed the Spanish Parliament’s rejection of a European Commission amendment to the EU-Morocco trade agreement that would have included produce from Western Sahara, in violation of rulings by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
In a statement, COEXPHAL criticized political parties that voted in favor of the amendment, accusing them of acting against the interests of Spanish farmers.
“It is unacceptable that political parties which claim to defend the territory, sustainability and rural employment have failed to oppose an agreement that breaches the ECJ’s jurisprudence and allows the entry of agricultural products without guarantees of traceability, sustainability or phytosanitary control,” the association said.
COEXPHAL also called for transparency in the parliamentary vote, demanding that parties explain why they prioritized trade deals harmful to Spanish producers, especially in regions such as Almería, where agriculture remains a vital economic and social pillar.
Recalling that the EU-Morocco agreement has faced multiple legal and agricultural complaints, COEXPHAL reaffirmed its commitment to fair, competitive and sustainable agriculture, urging EU and national institutions to recognize the strategic value of Spain’s fruit and vegetable sector.
“You cannot speak of ecological transition or fair trade while authorizing the entry of products cultivated in occupied territories under labor and environmental conditions that fail to meet European standards,” said COEXPHAL’s director Luis Miguel Fernández.
“This vote is not technical—it’s political. And those who voted in favor must be held accountable to the sector,” he added.
The motion rejecting the amendment, introduced by the far-right Vox party, was supported by the People’s Party (PP), the Navarrese People’s Union (UPN) and Sumar.
