Brussels, 24/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The new anti-financial fraud programme, Hercules III, came into force on Friday 21 March. With a budget of around €15 million a year throughout the 2014-2020 programming period (a total of €104.9 million), it will help member states tackle fraud, corruption and any other illegal activity that jeopardise the EU's financial interests. Commissioner Algirdas Semeta said that “tackling tobacco smuggling remains a high priority, given its damaging consequences on society. This programme will finance x-rays, scanners and other technical equipment in harbours and airports, amongst other things, to stamp out that criminal activity. Hercules III also reflects the difficult economic times we are in, by allowing EU funding for up to 80% of the costs of certain actions to protect the EU's financial interests.' It will improve the prevention and investigation of fraud, smuggling and counterfeiting, especially of cigarettes, by enhancing transnational and multi-disciplinary cooperation, and increase protection of the financial interests of the EU against fraud by facilitating the exchange of information, experiences and best practices. (EL)