Parties Unite to Fight "Counterfeit Europe"

2.06.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 30th Sep 2009

UK Liberal Democrat MEP Bill Newton-Dunn and Hungarian Socialist Edit Herczog MEP have hailed today's first meeting of the cross-party Forum for the Combat of Contraband, Counterfeit and Organised Crime as "an enormous success, brimming with ideas".

The standing-room only event was attended by more than seventy participants from industry, the European Commission, interest groups and politicians from across the political spectrum.

Chairing the meeting, Mr Newton-Dunn said:

"When counterfeit goods go on the market, jobs are lost, revenue is squandered and organised crime profits.

"We need to raise public awareness and push politicians to take action.

"That's why we our Forum is now planning a Counterfeit Exhibition here in the Parliament to demonstrate the staggering range of fake goods available from the standard fake handbag to deadly dangerous fake medicines.

"But we also need a proper assessment at additional policy steps.

"Why is it, for example, that only 3% of cross-border cargo containers are checked in the EU while the Americans are targeting 100% checks?"

EXHIBITION

Ms Herczog pointed out that the problem of counterfeit goods will not be resolved until citizens take responsibility too:

"The problem is not just other people in far away countries.

"Every time a citizen buys a fake bag or smokes a counterfeit cigarette, they add to demand and fuel the criminal gangs that operate this illicit trade.

"It is time to make the public aware of the extent of this problem and seek their help in bringing it to an end."

Mr Newton-Dunn and Ms Herczog also welcomed suggestions that the cross-party forum will now invite the new Commissioners, Interpol and representatives from OLAF to engage with MEPs on how to fight counterfeit fraud.