A company in Brabant is suspected of fraud with official loading notes when exporting chicken meat to Africa. According to the NVWA, the company would collaborate with a company in the province of Zeeland. On Monday, the NVWA investigated both companies. Detectives have seized company records.
According to the NVWA, this fraud would result in the recipient having to pay up to thirty percent less import duties in the country of destination.
Risk to food safety
This form of fraud poses a risk to food safety, the NVWA emphasizes. If something appears to be wrong with a food product, it must be possible to find out where the product came from and to whom it was delivered. This tracing becomes considerably more difficult if, for example, chicken meat is changed to beef tripe on official documents.
There is also unfair competition. By fraud with documents, the companies provide a favor to their customers abroad. As a result, companies may be able to export more than companies that adhere to the rules. In addition, the companies involved can offer products abroad cheaper than their competitors. They pay considerably less import duties than they should pay. This form of fraud encourages corruption, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasizes.