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Spain's Popular Party (PP) has launched a two-pronged attack on Moroccan agricultural exports. In the House of Representatives, the PP submitted a non-binding proposal urging the government to adopt measures against imports, particularly Moroccan, containing residues exceeding those authorized in the European Union (0.01 milligrams per kilogram for food and animal feed).
Europa Press linked the PP's proposal to the recent «discovery of a shipment of Moroccan strawberries carrying traces of hepatitis A virus». The PP called on the Sanchez government to request that the EU initiate the safeguard clause (a measure allowing temporary restrictions on imports) to protect consumers. Notably, Madrid used this measure in June 2002 against imports of canned mandarin segments from China.
The PP's proposal in the Spanish parliament further urges the government to request a general study by the European Food Safety Authority on products from third countries, mainly Morocco. The PP advocates suspending international free-trade agreements until the study results are available, aiming «to limit access to Spain and Europe of products from countries with MRLs (maximum residue limits of pesticides) higher than the standards set by the EU».
Concurrently with its actions in the national parliament, the PP has also submitted written questions to the European Commission, urging them to «take urgent action» against agricultural imports from Morocco that don't comply with EU phytosanitary standards.
Morocco's National Office for Sanitary Safety of Food Products (ONSSA) responded through a press release, stating that samples of Moroccan strawberries destined for export to Europe tested negative for hepatitis A.
