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The European Commission will complete a review of Greece’s 2024 agricultural subsidies by year-end, following a €415 million fine imposed for inadequate oversight by payment agency OPEKEPE.
Greece has requested installment payments for the penalty, Brussels sources said. The fine covers 2016-2023 and stems from deficiencies in the proper recording of maximum eligible area in the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), in on-site controls and in the cross-compliance system, a Commission spokesperson said.
The review will examine 14 member-states fined for poor subsidy management during 2016-2023, now including 2024. While larger countries have multiple payment agencies, Greece used only OPEKEPE.
The spokesperson explained that member-states are responsible for paying and controlling expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), while the Commission is responsible for ensuring sound management of the EU budget.
The June 11 compliance clearance decision affects 16 member-states, including Greece, and is unrelated to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation into OPEKEPE.