Greek farmers report €600 million shortfall after subsidy scandal

Greek farmers are facing a significant shortfall in funding following a bogus land ownership scandal which has exposed widespread abuse of European subsidies.

Trade unions warn that the sector is missing out on around €600 million as a result of the suspension of payments. The European Union already fined Greece €392 million in June for fraud, when farmers, with the help of civil servants, pretended to own grazing land in order to receive financial support.

An audit led by OPEKEPE, the agency at the heart of the case, has significantly slowed down the disbursement of subsidies and other aid. Farmers have so far received only EUR 50 million instead of the promised EUR 660 million, which is also causing them serious problems in repaying their debts to the banks.

The current crisis has been further exacerbated by the epidemic of sheep pox, for which farmers have had to cull thousands of animals.

The protesting farmers are demanding an acceleration of payments, which are essential for them to continue to operate. If the situation does not improve, they are planning protest blockades of the main roads across Greece.

(reuters, sie)