On Tuesday 8 December, negotiators from the EU Council, the European Parliament and the Commission reached an interim agreement on the new regulation establishing the EU anti-fraud programme.
There will be a €29 million per year budget for this (seven-year) programme, which is part of the 30 May 2018 package on the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 (see EUROPE 12182/21).
The proposal aims to replace the Hercule III programme (Regulation 250/2014) and to combine it with the Anti-Fraud Information System (AFIS) and the Irregularity Management System (IMS). This text aims in particular at providing tools for the exchange of information and assistance for operational activities in the field of mutual administrative assistance in customs and agricultural matters.
In particular, the compromise reached between the institutions makes it possible to strike a balance regarding the provisions covered by delegated acts and the non-Member States that may participate in the programme. It was agreed that only accession countries, candidate countries and potential candidates for EU membership could participate. Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, Germany) is the European Parliament’s rapporteur on this issue. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)