Brussels, 18/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - An IT tool will increase the effectiveness of the Europe-wide system to address cross-border food fraud, the European Commission announced on Wednesday 18 November, the day of the official launch of this tool.
The administrative assistance and cooperation (AAC) system, as it is known, will facilitate the online exchange of administrative information between national authorities working to combat cross-border breaches of EU law on foods.
In the wake of the scandal where it was discovered that horsemeat was being sold as beef in prepared dishes, the Commission developed an action plan to strengthen checks in the food supply chain. It was in this context that the European food fraud network (FFN) was born. It has been operational since July 2013 and ensures rapid exchange of information between national authorities and the Commission in cases of suspected food fraud. The cooperation network has resulted in a marked increase in the number of exchanges, from 30 in 2013 to 90 so far in 2015.
Initially, the AAC will be used only by the FFN. At a later stage, it will be made available also to the liaison bodies working on cases of administrative assistance and cooperation not related to fraudulent practices. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)