Together with the Customs Administration (CA), the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) carried out an inspection activity focused on illegal import of wine into the Czech Republic. “Through this inspection activity, we are sending a clear message to importers, producers and consumers that fight against black market with wine is our priority,” Marian Jurečka, Minister of Agriculture, said. Within this inspection, supervisory authorities checked transport of winery products at border crossings and on the inland road network in the CR. This inspection outstanding in particular due to its place was carried out between 18^th and 29^th August 2014. During both day and night shifts, CA staff halted trucks transporting wine and CAFIA inspectors subsequently carried out inspection of documentation accompanying winery products and took samples for an laboratory analysis which was focused, inter alia, on detection of presence of synthetic glycerol, artificial sweeteners, citric acid or verification of botanical origin of spirit.

Within nearly 30 inspections, CAFIA took 16 samples of wine in total to be analysed. At the present time, samples are being analysed in CAFIA accredited laboratories. The inspection showed, among others, that documents accompanying winery products during transport are not filled appropriately. These deficiencies as well as deficiencies found during subsequent inspections will be handled during follow-up investigations. CAFIA further revealed non-registered premises in Hovorany where wine of company CE WINES s. r. o. based on Senovážné náměstí 992/8 Prague 1 was delivered. These joint inspection activities will be repeated in the future.