Spain declares trade deal a ‘disaster’

Moroccan olive oil producers say Spain should not be so scared of a wider EU-Morocco free trade deal – at least for now – because the United States market is their main target. Spain’s olive oil sector is in furore over the plan, which would eliminate an EU customs duty (currently about €1.25 per kilo) on Moroccan olive oil and restrict to 2000 tons the amount of EU oil allowed to enter Morocco tariff-free. The European Parliament ratified the proposal earlier this month by 369 votes to 225, with most of its Spanish members voting no. There is now talk of a Spanish appeal to Europe’s Court of Justice.