Spanish minister defends import controls amid criticism of Moroccan agri-food products

Thursday 18 September 2025 - 08:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Spanish minister defends import controls amid criticism of Moroccan agri-food products

Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas, has firmly defended the nation’s food import controls following accusations from the Popular Party (PP) of tolerating “unfair competition” from Moroccan agricultural exports.

During a parliamentary session, PP Senator Lorena Guerra questioned the government’s measures to prevent unfair trade practices in food imports, singling out Morocco as a beneficiary of alleged leniency. She provocatively asked, “What do you have with Morocco, or what does that country know about this government that makes you so permissive?”

Planas responded decisively, accusing the PP of adopting rhetoric from the far-right Vox party. “You are trying to put Vox to your left,” he said. The minister underscored that all agricultural imports from Morocco, like those from other nations, undergo rigorous checks in compliance with European Union standards. “No agri-food product enters the European Union without proper control,” he emphasized.

Planas also criticized Guerra for questioning the professionalism of public officials tasked with these inspections, defending their integrity and expertise.

Morocco remains one of Spain’s principal partners in agricultural trade, exporting fruits, vegetables, seafood, and some processed foods. Spanish supermarkets depend heavily on these imports, particularly during winter months when domestic production is limited. All Moroccan agricultural products entering Spain are subject to stringent EU regulations, including sanitary and quality inspections at Border Inspection Points (PIFs).

Despite these measures, Moroccan imports have become a politically sensitive issue in Spain. The PP has accused the government of favoring Morocco at the expense of Spanish farmers, particularly in the fruit and vegetable sectors, fueling tensions over the perceived economic impact on local agriculture.