WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1673/96 by Carmen FRAGA ESTÉVEZ to the Commission. Investigation of fraud in connection with imports of preserved tuna and tuna steaks under the GSP
Date: 1996-06-12
Institutions: European Parliament, FRAGA ESTEVEZ
Subjects: CCT duties, Colombia, Ecuador, customs fraud, customs regulations, fish product, fraud, generalised preferences, import, preserved product













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91996E1673

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1673/96 by Carmen FRAGA ESTÉVEZ to the Commission. Investigation of fraud in connection with imports of preserved tuna and tuna steaks under the GSP  


Official Journal C 345 , 15/11/1996 P. 0096 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-1673/96 by Carmen Fraga Estévez (PPE) to the Commission (12 June 1996)Subject: Investigation of fraud in connection with imports of preserved tuna and tuna steaks under the GSPIn 1994 the Commission carried out a number of on-the-spot inspections in various firms in Ecuador and Colombia which export preserved tuna and tuna steaks to the EU under the customs exemptions granted by the GSP. The Commission's own reports show that irregularities were found which can only be termed scandalous.In view of the outcome of these inspections, what measures will the Commission take to ensure that there is no fraud involved in the import of tuna steaks and preserved tuna under the GSP-Andean Pact, and when will it carry out fresh on-the-spot checks in order to force firms to put an immediate stop to the large number of irregularities noted?Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (16 July 1996)The inquiries conducted in Ecuador and Colombia by the Commission, with the full cooperation of the authorities, concerned processed tuna imported into the Community with generalized system of preferences (GSP) certificates of preferential origin in 1994. As indicated in the 1994 annual report on the fight against fraud, the Commission has requested Member States to proceed with the recovery of duties on non-originating imports established during these enquiries in Ecuador and Colombia.The Commission does not initiate inspections in situ, but it does investigate suspected irregularities. It follows that the Commission itself is not able to take direct action against third country exporters in order to prevent them from committing further fraud. This task falls to the authorities in the third countries concerned. They are in particular responsible for issuing Form A certificates which confer preferential status.The authorities in the two countries have now introduced supplementary inspection procedures to ensure that the goods exported have the correct origin. Legislative measures were also adopted to prevent irregularities of this kind. New rules of origin have been established and have been applicable since 7 January 1995, which imply that the donor country content provision would allow for a cumulation of origin with the Community vessels. The companies and government departments involved therefore now understand better the criteria governing benefits from the Community GSP.The 'Fight against fraud' work programme 1996 announces a Commission communication in the area of preferential agreements. It will address a number of issues aiming at strengthening the system and making it more fraud-proof. This communication will be presented in autumn 1996.To this day, the Commission has no supplementary information concerning Ecuador and Colombia. However, if the Honourable Member has specific information, the Commission would be ready to re-open the investigations.