Greece moves to tighten digital traceability of milk and meat
Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) is considering a stricter electronic traceability system for milk and meat, aimed at curbing the relabeling of imported products as Greek and strengthening controls over agricultural subsidies and product origin.
The proposed framework would establish a continuous digital record of products from primary production through processing and distribution, according to comments by Christos Tsopanos, former deputy president of the Association of Greek Livestock Farmers (SEK) and a member of the board of Etheas.
DIGITAL TRACEABILITY FROM FARM TO MARKET
The discussions reportedly focus initially on perishable products, including the invoicing of milk powder.
According to Tsopanos, the electronic delivery note and the “Artemis 2” system are expected to play a central role in the proposed mechanism. He said Artemis 2 has not yet been fully implemented.
Under the system being discussed, the quantities of milk delivered to processing facilities would be electronically cross-checked against the quantities of finished products placed on the market, including milk and yogurt.
The proposed process would link the volume of raw material entering a processing plant with the corresponding quantity of finished products, allowing authorities to identify discrepancies in the production chain.
Tsopanos said products leaving producers would receive electronic barcodes and be recorded in a central database. The system would then compare the quantities of Greek milk supplied to a processing facility with the volume of products subsequently marketed.
The stated aim is for products made with Greek milk to be identified as such, while imported milk would carry an “EU” indication.
MEAT ORIGIN ALSO UNDER REVIEW
A similar traceability model is being considered for meat, according to Tsopanos.
He said the issue was also discussed during the meeting with AADE, with particular emphasis on strengthening controls over the origin of meat sold at retail outlets.
Tsopanos cited figures indicating that approximately 85% of the meat consumed in Greece is imported. If implemented, tighter electronic tracking would therefore provide authorities with additional tools to monitor how imported and domestically produced meat is identified throughout the supply chain.
TIMELINE SET FOR DIGITAL DECLARATION SYSTEM
According to Tsopanos, AADE has set a 40-day timeframe for finalizing the declaration form through which the relevant production and supply-chain information would be submitted.
The aim, he said, is for the form to be ready by Christmas.
The proposed measures remain part of an ongoing regulatory and administrative process, with further details on the final system and its implementation still to be determined.
