On Wednesday 30 May, the European Commission proposed to make €181 million available over the period 2021-2027 to support the efforts made by the member states to tackle fraud, corruption and other irregularities that affect the EU budget.
The Commission made its proposal for the next anti-fraud programme of the EU, which will pay for targeted training and exchanges of information and best practice between anti-fraud authorities throughout Europe, in the framework of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) post-2020.
This programme will also provide support to investigative activities through the acquisition of technical equipment used in detecting and investigating fraud, whilst facilitating access to secure information systems. The new programme will replace Hercules III, which has already had a positive impact on the fight against fraud affecting the EU budget at national and local levels in recent years.
A new customs control equipment instrument will be set in place under the new MFF to support the proper functioning of customs union, for instance by financing the purchase of control equipment to be used by the customs authorities.
The programmes on tackling fraud against the EU budget and concerning customs control equipment will therefore be complementary. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)