Select Committee on Treasury Written Evidence


Annex 2

JOINT SPIRITS FRAUD TASK FORCE (JSFTF)

TERMS OF REFERENCE

  The JSFTF is an initiative between HM Customs and Excise and the UK spirits industry which aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Customs activity to tackle spirits smuggling and fraud to their mutual benefit.

  The JSFTF will achieve this by:

    —  Involving the main trade representatives for the UK spirits producers (the Scotch Whisky Association and the Gin and Vodka Association of Great Britain), spirits importers (the Wine and Spirit Association), spirits transporters and warehousekeepers, and (as appropriate) individual companies;

    —  Meeting on a regular basis at working level, as a single forum or in sub-groups as appropriate, and with occasional meetings at senior (Chief Executive and, if appropriate, Ministerial) level;

    —  Building a shared understanding of the scope and nature of the problem;

    —  Developing and maintaining innovative ways of jointly combating fraud and of minimising the impact of HMC&E activity on the legitimate trade, making best use of technology wherever possible;

    —  Establishing and maintaining a network of two-way "fast track" contacts to help:

      —  HMC&E identify and discredit illicit spirits consignments and to disrupt the associated supply chains, and

      —  the spirits industry and trade to detect and prevent fraud and the sale of illicit and counterfeit product;

    —  Establishing and maintaining procedures and pathways, within a legal framework, for the structured and regular two-way exchange of data and intelligence;

    —  Agreeing and implementing Memoranda of Understanding between HMC&E and the spirits industry and trade, as appropriate;

    —  Promoting good practice;

    —  Liaising with other Government departments and agencies as appropriate in support of the JSFTF objectives; and

    —  Regularly assessing and reporting the impact of the JSFTF work.


 
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