Watson Deliverable D6.10 – Policy Brief 1

Executive Summary:

This policy brief summarises preliminary findings of the Watson project regarding vulnerability to fraud across six agri-food supply chains: olive oil, honey, wine, meat, dairy, and fish. This paper also introduces the technological solutions being developed by the Watson consortium, and which will be piloted in the second phase of the project, including a food fraud early warning system that will equip food authorities with critical insights.

While the project is still ongoing, it is already possible to draw out some policy recommendations to strengthen control measures and reducing food fraud opportunities, which can be summarised as:

• Investment in technological infrastructure
• Regulatory harmonisation
• Capacity building and training
• Consumer education initiatives
• Collaborative innovation

Concerted policy action around these areas could help guarantee safe and sustainable food production, while also protecting consumer rights and letting markets thrive.