Rabat – Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, defended the country’s food import controls on Tuesday, responding to criticism from the Popular Party (PP) over what they called “unfair competition” from Morocco.
During a parliamentary session, PP Senator Lorena Guerra asked the minister what the government is doing to prevent unfair competition in food imports. She specifically named Morocco, accusing the country of benefiting from “permitted unfair competition” in its exports to Spain.
Guerra asked Planas directly, “What do you have with Morocco, or what does that country know about this government that makes you so permissive?”
Planas responded sharply, saying that the PP “follows Vox’s script.” He added, “You are trying to put Vox to your left.”
Planas also reminded lawmakers that all agricultural products entering the European Union undergo strict border controls. “No agri-food product enters the European Union without proper control,” he said.
He criticized Guerra for questioning the professionalism of public officials who carry out these checks.
Morocco is one of Spain’s main partners in agricultural trade, exporting fruits, vegetables, seafood, and some processed foods. Spanish supermarkets rely on these imports, especially during the winter months when local production is lower.
All products entering Spain from Morocco are subject to strict European Union regulations, including sanitary and quality checks at Border Inspection Points (PIFs), as per what the Spanish minister said..
Despite these safeguards, Moroccan imports have become a point of political tension in Spain. The Popular Party has accused Morocco of creating “unfair competition” for Spanish farmers, particularly in fruits and vegetables.
