Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström visits the port of Rotterdam

Commissioner Cecilia Malmström is in Rotterdam today to meet with customs officials and food safety inspectors and take a closer look at the facilities at the EU’s largest port. The Netherlands is the entry point for 40% of goods entering the continent. Commissioner Malmström said: “Everything we import has to abide by our strict food standards. Nothing in any trade agreement will change this. I am in Rotterdam today to learn more about how the port uses risk assessments and physical searches to keep our citizens safe from illegal and unsafe products.” Following presentations by experts on customs, and food and consumer product safety, Commissioner Malmström took a tour of port facilities. First, she visited the State Inspection Terminal, where customs authorities use the latest technology to scan the containers entering the port. Secondly, the Commissioner was shown around the training centre for customs officials. The facility also has a specific dog-handling centre, where staff train the dogs to detect illegal substances.