Brussels, 24/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - Through its campaign - EU Stop Fakes - the European Commission is strongly committed to putting a brake on trade in counterfeit goods, which is worth €200 billion per year.
As the guest speaker at a conference in Sofia on 24 September on European economic challenges, European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani reasserted his commitment to fight counterfeiting, pointing out the harm it brings for companies, the risk for consumers' health and the risk of corruption. “Fighting against counterfeit goods is also fighting against crime. When counterfeit goods are sold, counterfeiters avoid paying taxes, curtailing state revenues and passing on the bill to European taxpayers”, Tajani stated, hailing the efforts of the Bulgarian authorities at the country's borders. In 2011, Bulgarian customs seized 28% of the counterfeit goods stopped at the EU's borders.
Tajani recalled the measures taken by the European Commission. “We aim to change attitudes, to turn the tide against this global wave of crime - protecting our health and our economies”, he said. Conducted with his colleague, European Commissioner for the Internal Market Michel Barnier, the EU Stop Fakes campaign aims to promote closer cooperation between the Commission, national authorities and professional associations, so as to stop the production and circulation of counterfeit goods. In particular, the campaign aims to make consumers aware of the harm caused by this practice, and to raise consumers' awareness of their power to fight against this activity by their own actions and choices. Tajani also spoke about the Commission's two proposals - one on the traceability of goods, and the other for better coordination between customs authorities and the convergence of national regulations on counterfeiting.
The Bulgarian Club of Journalists against Corruption, which organised the conference, awarded Tajani with a certificate of member of honour, in recognition of the anti-counterfeiting campaign that he promotes. (EH/transl.fl)