Search results: 10

Agri-food fraud investigation techniques - eLearning module

The eLearning module aims to improve the knowledge and skills of official control staff on specific investigations techniques used to identify agri-food fraud and to differentiate it from involuntary non-compliance.

The specific objectives of the training are:

  • To improve basic knowledge of food fraud and food fraud qualifying criteria.
  • To present good practices, tools and procedures relating to investigation techniques helping to detect fraud in the agri-food sector.
  • To help disseminate best practices.
  • To complement existing BTSF training courses on agri-food fraud investigation techniques.

Features

 365 days access
  • Average duration: 6 hours
Online
  • 5 Units
  • Self-Paced
  • Multimedia
Available in:

How to Register

Category: FOOD

Agri-food fraud investigation techniques in e-commerce - eLearning module

The eLearning module aims to improve the knowledge and skills of official control staff on specific investigations techniques used to identify agri-food fraud and to differentiate it from involuntary non-compliance.

The specific objectives of the training are:

  • To improve basic knowledge of agri-food fraud and agri-food fraud qualifying criteria.
  • To present good practices, tools and procedures relating to investigation techniques helping to detect fraud in e-commerce linked with the agri-food sector.
  • To help disseminate best practices on e-commerce surveillance.
  • To complement existing BTSF training courses on e-commerce agri-food fraud investigation techniques.

Features

 365 days access
  • Average duration: 6 hours
Online
  • 4 Units
  • Self-Paced
  • Multimedia
Available in:

How to Register

Category: FOOD

Food Fraud non-EU

The BTSF Non-EU Training Programme on Food Fraud Non-EU overall objective is:

  • to develop cooperation activities with non-EU trade partners with a view to improve the effectiveness of official control systems in relation to fraudulent practices across the agri-food chain, including Internet sales, and their ability to detect frauds.

The course addresses the following topics:

  • EU Control System and consistency with international trade rules (WTO, SPS, TBT);
  • Organisation of the official controls on agri-food products in the EU: legal framework and practical experiences;
  • Competent Authorities and Food Business Operators’ responsibilities and rules governing trade and imports of agri-food products from non-EU countries;
  • EU information management systems and e-certification;
  • Good practices, procedures and requirements relating to issuance of e-certificate: practical examples;
  • Overview on EU agri-food fraud policy;
  • Vulnerability of the food chain to agri-food fraud;
  • Agri-food fraud: competent authorities and industry prevention role; Vulnerability analyses and control prioritisation;
  • Investigation techniques: introduction to criminal law related to the food area, theory and practical examples of investigation, how to use control rules to investigate a suspicion of fraud, Good practices, tools and procedures relating to investigation techniques;
  • Conducting an investigation: basic rules and practical examples;
  • Overview on EU digital trade and EU e-commerce policy;
  • Controls on e-commerce: risk assessment, IT tools and evidence gathering, control purchase; Good practices on e-commerce surveillance for preventing threats;
  • Cooperation on e-commerce (cooperation with stakeholders including trading, producer and consumer organisations and market places/selling platforms, cross-border cooperation);
  • Establishing communication channels with police and judiciary authorities;
  • Setting up permanent information gathering from consumers;
  • Setting up permanent information gathering from "whistleblowers".

This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.

  • officials from competent authorities in non-EU countries involved in planning and organising official control activities (preferably at national/regional levels) in relation to fraudulent practices across the agri-food chain.
Session Start Date End Date City Country
1 10/10/2022 13/10/2022 Amman Jordan
2 30/01/2023 02/02/2023 Buenos Aires Argentina
3 06/03/2023 09/03/2023 Addis Abeba Ethiopia
4 24/04/2023 27/04/2023 Danang Vietnam
5 29/05/2023 01/06/2023 Astana Kazakhistan
CANCELLED  5/06/2023 9/06/2023 Dakar Senegal
6 10/07/2023 13/07/2023 Bangalore India
7 16/10/2023 19/10/2023 Casablanca Morocco
8 30/10/2023 03/11/2023 Bogotá Colombia
Category: FOOD

Food fraud/ e commerce - Investigation techniques - Food fraud

BTSF Training Programme/Course on Food fraud/ e commerce - Investigation techniques - Food fraud

The overall objectives of the course are:

  • To improve knowledge and skills of control staff on specific investigation techniques used to identify food fraud (FF) or to perform official control duties on e-commerce of food and food related products, disseminating best practices and enabling the exchange of practical experience.

The course addresses the following topics:

  • To give tools and techniques to design, implement and manage food fraud units.
  • To promote risk based investigations.
  • To spread the knowledge on methods and investigation techniques for the prevention of food fraud.

This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.

  • Officials from inspection bodies: ideally involved in planning and organizing control activities (preferably at central level) and Police investigators/ Customs.
Session Start Date End Date City Country
1 04/10/2021 08/10/2021 Virtual Classroom Not applicable
2 29/11/2021 03/12/2021 Virtual Classroom Not applicable
3 14/02/2022 18/02/2022 Virtual Classroom Not applicable
4 02/05/2022
NEW DATES!		 06/05/2022
NEW DATES!		 Virtual Classroom - POSTPONED ORIGINNALLY 4-8/04/2022
5 26/09/2022 29/09/2022 Tallinn Estonia
6 07/11/2022 10/11/2022 Sevilla Spain
7 17/04/2023 20/04/2023 Lisbon Portugal
Category: FOOD

Food fraud/ e-commerce - Investigation techniques: E-commerce Basic

The BTSF Training Programme on Food fraud/ e-commerce - Investigation techniques: E-commerce Basic was launched in 2013, as cases of food fraud were increasing, reaching a great dissemination by the Media at the time of the famous horse meat scandal.

  • Food fraud cases can affect the whole food chain, sometimes using very sophisticated techniques, to avoid being detected. Internet offers multiple choices and options; complete command of these tools should be known and used by those fighting against food fraud products sold in internet.
  • The current challenge not only requires new IT tools, but a better use of the information, methods and integrate this information in a more coordinated way, using the skills and expertise of food fraud units to attend these needs, and working in collaboration among administrations, between food safety authorities, police and judicial bodies.
  • It also helps to disseminate best practices for official controls when flexibility is applied.

This course focuses on General investigation and control techniques.

Officials from inspection bodies: ideally involved in planning and organizing control activities (preferably at central level) and Police investigators/ Customs.

Session Start Date End Date City Country
1 27/09/2021 01/10/2021
 Virtual Classroom Not applicable
2 18/10/2021 22/10/2021 Virtual Classroom Not applicable
3 25/04/2022 29/04/2022 Virtual Classroom Not applicable
4 15/05/2023 18/05/2023 Budapest Hungary
Category: FOOD

Food fraud/e-commerce - Investigation techniques - E-commerce Advanced

The BTSF training course on Food fraud/e-commerce - Investigation techniques - E-commerce Advanced level was launched in 2013, as cases of food fraud were increasing, reaching a great dissemination by the media at the time of the famous horse meat scandal. Food fraud cases can affect the whole food chain, sometimes using very sophisticated techniques, to avoid being detected. Internet offers multiple choices and options; complete command of these tools should be known and used by those fighting against food fraud products sold in internet.

The current challenge not only require new IT tools, but a better use of the information, methods and integrate this information in a more coordinated way, using the skills and expertise of food fraud units to attend these needs, and working in collaboration among administrations, between food safety authorities, police and judicial bodies.

This course focuses on E-commerce of food.

The BTSF Training Programme on New food investigation techniques: E-commerce Advanced level is aimed to improve knowledge and skills of control staff on specific investigation techniques used to identify food fraud (FF) or to perform official control duties on e-commerce of food and food related products, disseminating best practices and enabling the exchange of practical experience.

  • To provide tools and techniques to identify internet food business operating and detect those not following the legal requirements; facilitate practical training on internet trading investigation; and spread knowledge on methods to investigate in different internet platforms, and learn practical and legal requirements to undertake official controls on internet food business; and ensure that the participants have a solid understanding of channels of communication, cooperation with different administrations and market stakeholders.

Topics EC1 Legal framework for internet control, hands on IT training, EU legislation, legal aspects and control purchase, setting up an IT system for internet investigations, International cooperation and cross border cooperation, future of on-line investigations. Lectures and practical exercises with laptops.

These are the same objectives as in the course "E-commerce standard level", however the level to reach will be higher as long as the practical exercises requested. Demonstrated experience in investigating food frauds in the internet is compulsory to attend.

EU legislation and law infringements, advanced level investigation tools, setting up contacts, cross border cooperation, future of on-line investigations. Practical approach and active contributions from participants is expected.

Enforcement staff currently working in internet search or control unit; same requirements as for Course B1, and indicate having at least 3 years’ experience working in competent authorities related to Internet investigations of food frauds. To attend, participants will have to provide information of one case study in which they have participated. This ensures previous knowledge of basic IT investigation techniques in order to be able to put hands on training knowing the basic tools and experience to make basic investigations.

For the three courses, participants should be able to work and make interventions in English, and compromise to disseminate the learnings gained. Guidance on how to disseminate the knowledge will be provided during the sessions, and a follow up questionnaire will be performed to participants attending.

Session Start Date End Date City Country
1 14/03/2022 18/03/2022 Virtual Course Not applicable
2 13/06/2022 16/06/2022 Madrid Spain
3 17/10/2022 20/10/2022 Budapest Hungary
Category: FOOD

Food hygiene at primary production: Aquatic Animals

The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene primary production - Aquatic Animals are:

  • To develop a broad knowledge of different hazards (chemical, biological and physical) that can occur along the food chain;
  • To provide information about problems that are inherent to specific production, processing, conservation and distribution methotds to identify non-compliance and fraudulent practices;
  • To raise awarness and develop knowledge about the EU laws and ensure their correct enforcement;
  • To promote a harmonised approch to the operation of EU and national control systems by sharing best practices.

This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.

  • Staff of Competent Authorities involved in official control activities.
  • It should be clear from their background and professional position that the participation in the training activity is a key element for the improvement of their skills and competence for their job.
  • The trainees should have the required technical skills related to the fields mentioned under.
  • The course will be held in English. In order to be able to understand and actively participate in the sessions, exercises and case studies, we invite you to give priority to only register the participants who can read and speak English.
  • The participants will be requested to commit themselves to use the knowledge gained from the courses and also disseminate it via different dissemination methods i.e. informing colleagues about the information received at the training, distributing (photocopying or sending via electronic way) the training material among their colleagues, preparing informative articles in the professional national or, if possible, in international journals, preparing presentations based on the training material for the National Competent Authorities’ professional trainings or other dissemination methods which could be appropriate to share the information received via the BTSF trainings.
Session Start Date End Date City Country
3 20/11/2023 24/11/2023 Vigo Spain
4 12/02/2024 16/02/2024 Treviso Italy
6 08/04/2024 12/04/2024 Treviso Italy
Category: FOOD

Food hygiene primary production - Live Bivalve Molluscs

The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene primary production - Live Bivalve Molluscs are:

  • Develop a broad knowledge of different hazards (chemical, biological and physical) that can occur along the food chain;
  • Provide information about problems that are inherent to specific production, processing, conservation and distribution methotds to identify non-compliance and fraudulent practices;
  • Raise awarness and develop knowledge about the EU laws and ensure their correct enforcement;
  • Promote a harmonised approch to the operation of EU and national control systems by sharing best practices.

This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.

  • Staff of Competent Authorities involved in official control activities.

Selection Criteria

  • It should be clear from their background and professional position that the participation in the training activity is a key element for the improvement of their skills and competence for their job.
  • The trainees should have the required technical skills related to the fields mentioned under.
  • The course will be held in English. In order to be able to understand and actively participate in the sessions, exercises and case studies, we invite you to give priority to only register the participants who can read and speak English.
  • The participants will be requested to commit themselves to use the knowledge gained from the courses and also disseminate it via different dissemination methods i.e. informing colleagues about the information received at the training, distributing (photocopying or sending via electronic way) the training material among their colleagues, preparing informative articles in the professional national or, if possible, in international journals, preparing presentations based on the training material for the National Competent Authorities’ professional trainings or other dissemination methods which could be appropriate to share the information received via the BTSF trainings.
Session Start Date End Date City Country
10 07/10/2024 11/10/2024 Vigo Spain
12 25/11/2024 29/11/2024 Vigo Spain
Category: FOOD

Food hygiene primary production - Plant products

The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene primary production - Plant products are:

  • to develop a broad knowledge of different hazards (chemical, biological and physical) that can occur along the food chain;
  • to provide information about problems that are inherent to specific production, processing, conservation and distribution methotds to identify non-compliance and fraudulent practices;
  • to raise awarness and develop knowledge about the EU laws and ensure their correct enforcement;
  • to promote a harmonised approch to the operation of EU and national control systems by sharing best practices.

This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.

  • Staff of Competent Authorities involved in official control activities.

Selection Criteria

  • It should be clear from their background and professional position that the participation in the training activity is a key element for the improvement of their skills and competence for their job.
  • The trainees should have the required technical skills related to the fields mentioned under.
  • The course will be held in English. In order to be able to understand and actively participate in the sessions, exercises and case studies, we invite you to give priorityto only register the participants who can read and speak English.
  • The participants will be requested to commit themselves to use the knowledge gained from the courses and also disseminate it via different dissemination methods i.e. informing colleagues about the information received at the training, distributing (photocopying or sending via electronic way) the training material among their colleagues, preparing informative articles in the professional national or, if possible, in international journals, preparing presentations based on the training material for the National Competent Authorities’ professional trainings or other dissemination methods which could be appropriate to share the information received via the BTSF trainings.
Session Start Date End Date City Country
1 23/09/2023 27/09/2023 Budapest Hungary
2 30/10/2023 03/11/2023 Valencia Spain
7 22/04/2024 26/04/2024 Valencia Spain
8 03/06/2024 07/06/2024 Valencia Spain
9 30/09/2024 04/10/2024 Bologna Italy
Category: FOOD

Organic production and labelling of organic products

The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on Organic production and labelling of organic products are:

  • To improve the knowledge and awareness of the new organic regulation (EU) 2018/848 and consequential control requirements, in ensuring its correct enforcement and in promoting a harmonised approach to the operation of EU and national control systems
  • To dive deeper into key requirements of the EU Official Control and Organic Regulations and empower responsible staff of controlling authorities on NCA, CtlrA and CB level, also including staff from e.g. AB or other relevant official entities on national, regional or local level including border and market control experts by offering specifically selected topics in a practical manner
  • To support the insurance of a consistent and rigorous implementation of the regulatory requirements to contribute to the rapid growth in the organic sector in the past and probably next decade
  • To take into account and address weaknesses and raising challenges due to a not sufficiently harmonised control approach in a globally increasing organic sector that also poses higher risks like fraudulent structures
  • To take into account and base all training materials on the latest reports and analysis published by the EU Commission, mainly DG SANTE audits reports, statistics, FAQ`s and other key publications provided by relevant official authorities to support the participants in their aims developing and implementing more risk based and effective control procedures
  • To offer balanced theoretical and practical sessions, with emphasis on the practical sessions, including simulations, case studies, group exercises and on-the-spot visits of different organic operators (or possibly group of operators) to gather practical experience on provided information
  • To allow exchange of experience and dissemination of best practices for control activities and relevant procedures of experts working in EU Member States and beneficial countries

The general objective of the training is to ensure the correct enforcement of the European Union legislative and policy framework for organic production and labelling of organic products. The training shall help EU and non-EU officials including staff from delegated control bodies to become familiar with the scope, structure and objectives of the new legislative framework in order to facilitate the transition to the new regime focusing on the changes that it brings about, including the practical aspects related to its effective implementation and harmonized procedures. With this the general objective of the BTSF initiative will be reflected in the sessions by supporting learning steps for the expected high level of competence and expertise of staff working in the controlling authorities to better ensure that official controls are carried out more uniform, efficient, objective and adequate.

The specific objectives are the following:

  • To guide the participants to an active preparation by providing selected training materials before the training. This will ensure that they have refreshed the basics of EU organic control systems before their arrival, such as the general obligations, responsibilities and activities of the authorities for organic farming incl. control authorities and bodies. This also enables the desired very comprehensive and in-depth as well as very practical and interactive training to be carried out in the given time;
  • To provide an initial overview of the new regulations and comparison to the earlier ones, and also to delve into the practical application of the new regulations on a number of individual topics and, by doing that, other basic elements of the organic control system. Therefore, e.g. details of delegation and supervision by the competent authorities will be included in such selected practical case studies in order to respond to the additional, new, modified or concrete requirements of the Reg. (EU) 2018/848;
  • To further improve the knowledge and awareness of the new organic regulation (EU) 2018/848 and consequential control requirements, in ensuring its correct enforcement and in promoting a harmonised approach to the operation of EU and national control systems;
  • To dive deeper into key requirements of the EU Official Control and Organic Regulations and empower responsible staff of controlling authorities on NCA, CtlrA and CB level, also including staff from e.g. AB or other relevant official entities on national, regional or local level including border and market control experts by offering specifically selected topics in a practical manner.
  • To support the insurance of a consistent and rigorous implementation of the regulatory requirements to contribute to the rapid growth in the organic sector in the past and probably next decade;
  • To consider and address weaknesses and raising challenges due to a not sufficiently harmonised control approach in a globally increasing organic sector that also poses higher risks like fraudulent structures;
  • To consider and base all training materials on the latest reports and analysis published by the EU Commission, mainly DG SANTE audits reports, statistics, FAQ`s and other key publications provided by relevant official authorities to support the participants in their aims developing and implementing more risk based and effective control procedures;
  • To offer balanced theoretical and practical sessions, with emphasis on the practical sessions, including simulations, case studies, group exercises and on-the-spot visits of different organic operators (or possibly group of operators) to gather practical experience on provided information.
  • To allow exchange of experience and dissemination of best practices for control activities and relevant procedures of experts working in EU Member States and beneficial countries.
  • As Organic production is one of the Europeans Commission’s policy instruments and being in line with the Green Deal, better trained staff of the control authorities will also – indirectly - contribute the European Commission`s Biodiversity and Farm to Fork Strategies.

This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.Only eligible participants should be further assessed against the minimum requirements below.

Participants shall represent staff of competent authorities involved in official control activities

The trainees should have the required technical skills related to the fields listed below:

  • either work at a Control Bodies or
  • work at a Contracting Authority, Control Bodies/Control Authorities (EU MS);
  • have been working for more than 3 years and mainly in the field of organic control systems;
  • they have a sound knowledge of the previous EU Regulation (834/07 etc.);
  • they have already attended trainings on the new regulations (2017/625 or 2018/848 and IR/DA);
  • they read the provided information beforehand and
  • they bring the tasks to the training prepared.

The course will be held in English.

The participants will be requested to commit themselves to use the knowledge gained from the courses and also disseminate it via different dissemination methods i.e. informing colleagues about the information received at the training, distributing (photocopying or sending via electronic way) the training material among their colleagues, preparing informative articles in the professional national or, if possible, in international journals, preparing presentations based on the training material for the National Competent authorities’ professional trainings or other dissemination methods which could be appropriate to share the information received via the BTSF trainings.

The foremost focus of the selection process is to ensure that the right candidates attend the training. For this project, we believe that the candidates must:

  • Have management responsibilities within their institution, particularly around delegating, supervising, monitoring, coordinating and/ or planning activities for organic production, handling and/or labelling organic products;
  • Have direct involvement in carrying out inspections and certification of organic operators including group operators and market controls of retailers who sell organic products;
  • Have a background in working in the controls of imported organic products or other specific areas as e.g. animal husbandry, breeding, evaluation of off-farm inputs, laboratory (interpretation of lab analyses) etc. as well as prevention of or dealing with fraud cases;
  • Have the skills and knowledge to participate in the training as it will address very specific issues. Staff already trained in their home country: responsible for organic production and labelling of organic products;
  • Have the capacity to commit and support to disseminate the information and knowledge and/ to train colleagues and others within their organisation and activity fields the successful dissemination of information and knowledge will significantly increase the impact of the training programmes.

This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.

a) staff of the competent authority/ies for organic production and labelling of organic products involved in the registration of organic operators and group of operators, the approval and supervision of control bodies, the planning and coordinating of control activities for organic production and labelling of organic products, the preparation of the organic data in the Annual Reports, the handling of requests for derogations and the exchange of information with the competent authorities of other Member States (MS) and the Commission;

b) staff of the national, regional and local competent authorities directly involved in carrying out inspections of organic operators and group of operators and market controls of retailers who sell pre-packed organic products and are exempted from the obligation of the possession of certificate;

c) staff of the competent authorities involved in the controls of imported organic products;

d) staff of the public control authorities or the private control bodies to which specific responsibilities or tasks relating to control activities for organic production and labelling of organic products have been conferred (for control authorities) or delegated (for control bodies) by the competent authorities;

e) staff of the national accreditation bodies involved in the accreditation of control bodies to whom control tasks have been delegated.

Phase I
Session Start Date End Date City Country
1 28/03/2022 31/03/2022 Santander Spain
2 25/04/2022 28/04/2022 Florence Italy
3 16/05/2022 19/05/2022 Santander Spain
4 27/06/2022 30/06/2022 Vienna Austria
5 26/09/2022 29/09/2022 Florence Italy
6 24/10/2022 27/10/2022 Vilnius Lithuania
7 28/11/2022 01/12/2022 Florence Italy
8 05/12/2022 08/12/2022 Vilnius Lithuania
9 23/01/2023 26/01/2023 Santander Spain
10 20/02/2023 23/02/2023 Vienna Austria

Phase II
Session Start Date End Date City Country
1 16/10/2023 19/10/2023 Vienna Austria
2 13/11/2023 16/11/2023 Zagreb
 Croatia
3 05/02/2024 08/02/2024 Bari Italy
4 25/03/2024 28/03/2024 Vilnius Lithuania
5 06/05/2024 09/05/2023 Mallorca Spain
6 24/06/2024 27/06/2024 Zagreb Croatia
7 09/09/2024 12/09/2024 Vilnius Lithuania
8 11/11/2024 14/11/2024 Bari Italy
9 13/01/2025 16/01/2025 Vienna Austria
10 03/02/2025 06/02/2025 Valencia Spain
Category: ORGANICS