Spanish-Moroccan trade of Western Saharan phosphorus and phosphates
31.3.2023
Question for written answer E-001112/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó (NI), Clara Ponsatí Obiols (NI)
The EU has increased its imports of Moroccan phosphorus since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Morocco currently accounts for 50 % of Europe’s phosphate imports[1]. The Union abides by Article 24 of UN position 2002/161 of 12 February 2002.
During the first quarter of 2022, Morocco’s state-owned OCP mining and fertiliser production group recorded a turnover of EUR 24 billion, up by 77 % compared to last year, and stated that production could increase by 50 % over the next four years[2]. One of the biggest mines in Western Sahara, Bou Craa, is controlled by Morocco, a country that possesses almost 70 % of the planet’s known phosphorus reserves[3].
Spain unilaterally recognised Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2022, with dire consequences both for the human rights of Saharawis and for European small and medium-sized enterprises[4]. A number of Spanish companies are embedded throughout the Western Saharan phosphorus supply chain, ranging from a prime infrastructure builder in Bou Craa[5], to the law firm of a former foreign affairs minister that helps to justify the trade by providing lobbying services[6].
- 1.Will the Commission widen the scope of the Conflict Minerals Regulation[7]to include imports of Western Saharan phosphates?
- 2.Will it propose diversification strategies for the Union’s use of phosphorus and phosphates[8]?
- 3.Will it implement the rulings of cases T‑344/19, T‑356/19 and T-279/19?
Submitted: 31.3.2023
- [1] Spain, Italy and France account for over three quarters of the Union’s imports of phosphorus within fertiliser products.
- [2] https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/europe-searches-for-alternatives-in-fertiliser-supply-battle/.
- [3] https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/03/06/phosphorus-saved-our-way-of-life-and-now-threatens-to-end-it.
- [4] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2022-003260_EN.html.
- [5] https://vest-sahara.s3.amazonaws.com/wsrw/feature-images/File/157/6081d8e0f3bcb_Pforplunder2021_Web.pdf.
- [6] https://wsrw.org/en/news/the-phosphate-exports.
- [7] https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/development-and-sustainability/conflict-minerals-regulation_en.
- [8] Such as wastewater management techniques.