Press Release: Adoption of a draft agreement between the EU and Morocco in the agri-food and fisheries sector

The European Commission has adopted a draft decision on a EU-Morocco bilateral trade agreement for agri-food and fisheries products. It now passes to the Council and the European Parliament for approval. The agreement will reinforce the position of European exporters on the Moroccan market, particularly exporters of processed agricultural products, representing a major offensive interest for the EU with full liberalisation planned in stages over the next ten years, with the exception of pasta, for which a quantitative restriction is provided. In the agricultural products sector, the agreement will allow for the immediate liberalisation of 45% of the value of EU exports and 70% in ten years. The tinned food, dairy products, oilseeds and fruit and vegetable sector will benefit fully from total liberalisation. The fisheries sector will also be opened up for EU products (91% after five years and 100% in 10 years).