Illicit Trade
Commission: EU tobacco track and trace will be fully functional in a year
The much-awaited EU tobacco track and trace system will be fully functional in "maximum one year" after its official launch due on 20 May, a European Commission official told EURACTIV.com.
EU track and trace system risks missing the deadline
EU member states have not yet taken the necessary measures from the Tobacco Product Directive II to implement a track and trace system for tackling illicit tobacco trade, which risks creating disruptions in the single market, EURACTIV has learnt.
Study finds rising illicit cigarette trade on social media
Social media and delivery services have become new outlets for organised crime activities when it comes to illicit cigarette trade, according to a new study that has raised eyebrows among EU policymakers.
MEP: France is wrong to shun OLAF in tackling tobacco smuggling
France and other countries that need help tackling the rising illicit tobacco trade should ask for assistance from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), according to Czech MEP Tomáš Zdechovský.
OLAF: Up to France to request help on genuine cigarettes smuggled from Algeria
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) stands ready to assist member states, such as France, in the fight against illicit tobacco trade with third countries, but it’s up to the national authorities to make a request, OLAF told EURACTIV.com. “OLAF will...
Europol: Massive seizure of fake pesticides which could spray the size of the UK
Europol’s annual Operation SILVER AXE III seized the largest-ever amount of illegal or counterfeit pesticides in Europe this week. But the fact that such massive amounts of illegal pesticides are available has raised concerns about both the economic and health costs.
Most ivory bought in Europe is illegal, investigation finds
Almost three-quarters of all ivory sold legally in Europe is in fact illicit and comes from tusks of elephants that were killed after the 1990 ban on ivory trade, according to an investigation released on Tuesday (10 July).
EU loses €60 billion annually to counterfeits
According to a study by the EU’s Intellectual Property Office, revenue losses generated by counterfeiting in Europe remain high. EURACTIV.fr reports.
OLAF: Illicit cut tobacco is a significant and growing market
The volume of illicit cut tobacco in Europe poses a significant problem and is a growing market, Margarete Hofmann, Director for policy at the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) told EURACTIV.com.
Juncker tells Balkan states 2025 entry possible for all
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker told Western Balkan countries on Sunday (25 February) to bear in mind 2025 as the date when any of them could join the European Union provided they worked to meet the criteria for membership.
EU takes over in fight against blood diamonds
The fight against conflict diamonds has slowed down since the creation of the Kimberley process in 2002. However, with the EU at its head in 2018, the subject of corporate responsibility could come up in talks.
EU expected to mount pressure on Minsk over illicit ‘cheap whites’
The rising illicit tobacco trade and particularly of the so-called cheap whites from Belarus to the EU will be discussed at the next EU-Belarus meeting on 19 December, an EU official told EURACTIV.com.
EU donates millions to help save Africa’s wildlife
The European Union on Tuesday (5 December) donated €17.2 million as part of a €30m package to boost efforts in Eastern and Southern Africa to reduce the illegal killing of wildlife and the trafficking of related products.
Angry tobacco industry asks Andriukaitis for ‘transparent dialogue’
The tobacco industry is fuming at EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis following his statement that manufacturers are “silent” over illicit trade.
Mystery of the eel: Europe’s own ivory trade
The European Commission has proposed a ban on eel fishing in the Atlantic, in an attempt to recover the dwindling stock of the European eel, a critically endangered species that is traded illegally by an industry that is worth millions of euros.
Commission hits back at criticism over tobacco track and trace proposal
The European Commission’s proposal for a tobacco track and trace system is fully in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) provisions, as it gives control over the system to the member states and not the tobacco industry, a Commission spokesperson told EURACTIV.
Bulk tobacco smuggling increases, worrying OLAF and Commission
Illegal sale of fine cut tobacco is on the rise in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, depriving state budgets of millions of euros in unpaid taxes and causing concern in the EU's anti-fraud office, OLAF, and the European Commission.
Greece seizes more than 700kg of illegal pesticides from Turkey
Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food announced on Friday (4 August) that the customs office seized more than 700 kilos of illegal pesticides originating from Turkey.
Stakeholders question Commission’s handling of tobacco track and trace
Several member states and the EU distribution sector have questioned the effectiveness of a recent European Commission consultant’s proposal on the future track and trace system of tobacco products.
Parliament adopts binding law on conflict minerals
MEPs today (16 March) adopted a new law obliging importers of minerals to ensure that their business does not contribute to armed conflicts in certain areas of the world. EURACTIV France reports.
Industry involvement in EU tobacco tracking system divides stakeholders
The involvement of the tobacco industry in an EU-wide track and trace system to tackle smuggling has divided relevant stakeholders.
Growing fake smartphone market raises eyebrows in Brussels
The rise of counterfeit smartphone devices in the EU in 2015 is dealing a severe blow to industry sales and consumer safety, a new report has warned.
Brussels urges Belarus to raise excise taxes on cigarettes
In an effort to halt the growing illicit tobacco trade from Belarus to Europe, the European Commission is calling on Minsk to approximate its excise duty rates to the levels in the EU.