EU aid for Coillte reclaimed by Brussels
Moneys to be recovered because of inadequate control procedures or non-compliance with EU rules on agricultural expenditure also include e0.3m of farmer payments, due to missed payment deadlines or inadequate control.
However, these paled into insignificance beside the e103.5m charged to Greece for unsatisfactory control in the arable crops sector; e40.1m charged to Italy for unsatisfactory control in the olive oil and fruit and vegetable sectors, missed deadlines and sales of stocks without credit; and e20.3m charged to the Netherlands for unsatisfactory controls during their swine fever crisis.
Commenting on the decisions, Franz Fischler, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries said, “European taxpayers have to be sure that their money is being correctly spent. The EC’s duty is to recover funds which are misspent. And this is what we have done today.”
Funds were recovered from all members except Germany, Denmark and Austria.
