Brussels, 17/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 16 April, the Agriculture Council adopted without debate the decision to renew the European customs action programme for six years. Following the European Parliament's opinion in December 2006 (see EUROPE 9327) the Customs 2013 programme will therefore come under a single reading.
Beginning 1 January 2008, Customs 2013 will have a total budget of €323 million, that is, over twice that of the previous action programme (€157 million for Customs 2007). The following areas of action will be covered: - contributing to improving the competitiveness of European companies; - supporting the customs authorities with a view to facilitating trade and speeding up procedures; - establishing an electronic environment for customs and contributing to the implementation of the modernised customs code (see EUROPE 9320); - developing the concept of “authorised economic operator” (AEO); - and increasing exchange of information with third country customs administrations. (mb)