Organic Fraud: smaller quantities than previously assumed

Source: FederBio, Assobio

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The Italian Federation for Organic and Biodynamic Agriculture, FederBio, which is working hard on the clarification of the organic fraud in Italy, has revealed a list with numbers and products involved in the fraud. Due to fact that the goods were moved back and forth to disguise their true origins, the impression was created that a huge amount of products was involved. Up to 700,000 tons of goods were mentioned in the media. According to present information, a total amount of 17,000 tons of goods were involved, FederBio reports, which is – of course - still a serious matter. The events of the fraud took place between October 2007 and August 2008.

The products involved were:

•Apples for puree 1.361 t
•Barley 80 t
•Corn 4613 t
•Soy beans 4246 t
•Sunflower 2066 t
•Wheat 2066 t

Roberto Pinton, CEO of the association Assobio, stated the following on the basis of the current level of knowledge: "The first buyers were, according to our knowledge, left in the dark about the intended fraud and therefore did not know anything about it. They were only informed about it by the Guardia di Finanza. Therefore, they are not under suspicion since it is assumed that their names were used without their knowledge. It is not clear if, after relabeling, the buyers knew about the action or if their names were stolen or forged as well. Fact is that this group of people is not in jail or released on bail."

Sunny Land is in the centre of investigation as well as their partners, since they forced certificates and invoices to simulate sales to other companies. It is assumed that the sales of the same merchandise were simulated afterwards (to uninformed buyers), who resold the merchandise as organic products to them. It is also assumed that various intermediary buyers were only named for the reason of disguise.

FederBio is suing for damages in the criminal prosecution in order to become part of it, according to Mr Pinton. No information is available from the Ministry of Agriculture, since the competent authority, Ms. Teresa De Matthaeis, will only reveal a report at the next SCOF meeting (Standing Committee of Organic Agriculture). The original document as well as the list of buyers and sellers of batches is available here.

More information: http://www.assobio.it - http://www.federbio.it

Tip: OrganicPortal Italia - Biologica Associazione & Agricoltura

OrganicPortal NewsRoom

21.12.2011

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