Brussels, 16/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has adopted a communication analysing the major problems facing European customs services, notably in the perspective of enlargement, and proposing a plan of action. The main challenge consists in reconciling the different demands in implementing a growing number of controls aimed at protecting the Community's financial, social and industrial interests, while avoiding creating unnecessary obstacles to legitimate trade, says the Commission. It places emphasis on the setting up of a transparent and stable framework, making available the necessary budgetary resources, and the necessary protection against unfair practices (fraud against the Community's financial interests, intellectual property, environmental standards, etc.).
In this perspective, the communication identifies five fields of action: 1) better application of the legislation, among other things, by providing assistance to legislators and facilitating arrangements for reliable operators; 2) greater operational efficiency of customs controls, notably through better risk-analysis, computerisation of customs procedures, and better coherence in customs and tax activities (the Commission suggests, among other things, more frequent use of scanning containers which, in Rotterdam, have allowed for the recovery of 20 million euro in customs duties and VAT in six months, and detected several cases of contraband); 3) improve the service to business, for example, by simplifying procedures or electronic access to customs information; 4) deepening training activities, notably by considering the setting up of a "European Customs Academy" and completing work on the establishment of common training modules; 5) developing the international role of customs, by ensuring the appropriate representation of the Community in international fora dealing with customs (World Customs ad world Trade organisations, G7, etc.).