On 23-24 October 2014 I will be in Rome, at the Italian Ministry of Health (via Giorgio Ribotta, 5), to follow a fundamental two days event about the food fraud issue, organised with the joint effort of the Ministry and the EU Commission.
The prime objective of this conference is to raise the profile of Economically Motivated Violations (EMV) of food law as a major global challenge and to promote and expand interdisciplinary collaboration and communication by providing a platform to those parties involved in fighting EMV, ranging from leading food control and judicial authorities to industry and consumers stakeholders.
Here you can find more information about the event: link.
The program and the speakers’ level are absolutely impressive:
Thursday, 23rd October 2014:
13:00 – 14:00 Registration and Buffet lunch
14:00 – 14:30 Opening remarks Italian Minister/E Poudelet – Director, Safety of Food Chain, European Commission, DG Health and Consumers
Session 1 – Food Fraud Overview – EU and National Perspectives
14:30 – 14:40Chair/Moderator Introduction – Marabelli/Borrello (Italian Ministry of Health)
14:40 – 15:404 Speakers – 15 minutes for each presentation to address the following topics:
- What is food fraud? – (An overview of the concept of fraud, laws and regulations; extension of the problem, etc. Could also include an overview of major incidents and current threats to brand and consumer protection, financial implications, etc.) – Francesco Lo Voi (Eurojust)
- The EU perspective (An overview of European Commission’s policy initiatives) – Carmen Garau (Head of Unit, European Commission, DG Health and Consumers)
- Glenn Taylor (Hampshire County Council, UK )
- Stefano Vaccari (Ministry of Agriculture, IT)
15:40 – 16:10Debate with speakers – Q&A
16:10 – 16:30Coffee break
Session 2 – Industry and Consumer Perspectives
16:30 – 16:40Chair/Moderator Introduction – Eric Poudelet (Director, European Commission, DG Health and Consumers)
16:40 – 17:102 speakers, 15 minutes each to present industry and consumer experience and views:
- Global Food Safety Initiative’s (GFSI) cutting-edge information and experiences on food fraud – Yves Rey (Corporate Quality Manager Danone)
- The European Consumer Organisation’s (BEUC) expectations and views
17:10 – 17:30Debate with speakers – Q&A
17:30 – 17:40Closing first day of conference
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Friday, 24th October 2014:
Session 3 – Needs and Options for a Collaborative Approach / Case Studies
9:30 – 9:40Chair/Moderator Introduction – Eric Marin (Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission, DG Health and Consumers)
9:40 – 10:253 speakers, 15 minutes each to present, including 2 case studies to take a more in-depth look at the food fraud challenges and explore new ideas to expand the experts’ connections/network:
- Collaborative approach – Professor Chris Elliott (Queen’s University, Belfast, UK)
- 1st case – Michael Rosenmark (Danish Flying Squad)
- 2nd case – C.P.M. de Bouter (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority)
10:25 – 10:55Debate with speakers – Q&A
10:55 – 11:10Coffee break
11:10 – 11:20Chair/Moderator Introduction- Silvio Borrello (Italian Ministry of Health)
11:20 – 12:053 speakers (15 minute each) – Continuation of previous session
- 3rd case – Gen. Cosimo Piccinno (NAS)
- 4th case – Andreas Rossa (German Prosecution)
- 5th case – Cathérine Collinet (French Brigades)
12:05 – 12:35Debate with speakers – Q&A
12:35 – 14:30Buffet lunch for participants
Session 4 – Improving Methodologies
14:30 – 14:40Chair/Moderator Introduction – Joao Onofre (European Commission, DG Agriculture)
14:40 – 15:253 speakers, 15 minutes each, on the following topics:
- Cooperation between laboratories and validation of techniques. – Elke Anklam (Joint Research Centre)
- Vulnerability assessment and approaches to Food Fraud prevention – John Spink (Michigan State University, USA)
- The EU FOODINTEGRITY Project – Paul Brereton (Food and Environment Research Agency, UK)
15:25 – 15:55Debate with speakers – Q&A
15:55 – 16:05Conference Close
16:05 – 16:20Conclusions – Italian Presidency
16:20 – 16:40Closing remarks
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I hope to meet some of you there!
FOOD LAW LATEST 
Dear Cesare, Nice program! I can’t make it unfortunately but say hello to Carmen Garau I know.
btw, I have a question: I saw in one of your post that the designated commissionner to SANCO Mr. Andriukaitis said in his audition in front of the EP that he will reconsider the EU rules on labelling of the country of origin. But I could not find any information. Any suggestion to find this information ;-)?!
Many thanks
Hope to meet you once in Brussels.
Kind regards.
Stéphanie
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Dear Stephanie,
Thank you for your comment. I have seen too Andriukaitis’ comment, but at the moment I don’t have nothing more precise (neither from unofficial sources).
I will keep you informed as soon as I know more.
It is amazing how recently I am avoiding Brussels 🙂 : business is driving me mostly to other countries.
We will meet for sure, the first time I will come.
All the best,
Cesare
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