Schinas: Fraud in agricultural subsidies is over; we have secured 61 million euros for fertilizers
Agricultural Minister Margaritis Schinas announced a new automated subsidy system and the allocation of 61 million euros to support farmers with fertilizer costs.
Minister of Agricultural Development and Food, Margaritis Schinas, delivered a firm message to the parliamentary committee, targeting both the farming community and those who have historically exploited agricultural subsidy systems. He declared that the era of impunity for fraud is over. As part of his strategy, Greece has secured over 61 million euros to support farmers struggling with the rising costs of fertilizers.
Schinas emphasized the government's crackdown on illegal subsidy claims, revealing that approximately 2,900 cases are currently under investigation, involving estimated losses of 69 million euros, with 1,151 prosecutions already underway. "The tolerance is over. The opportunists are over. The crooks are over. This government has put these words into practice, despite those who predicted we would fail," the minister stated, highlighting the progress made in cleaning up the sector.
A significant component of the new policy is the launch of the updated Integrated Administration and Control System (OSDE) this July. The system will shift to a modern approach, utilizing pre-filled data, automated cross-checks, and public registries to verify eligibility. The goal, Schinas explained, is to ensure that honest farmers are no longer burdened with annual paperwork to prove their legitimacy; instead, the system itself will provide the verification.
The minister also highlighted success in negotiations with the European Union, securing Greece’s position among the seven largest beneficiaries of EU funding. The country has obtained 21 million euros in EU grants, which will be supplemented by 40 million euros from national resources. Schinas noted that these funds were achieved through active negotiation and the ability to justify the country’s agricultural needs effectively.
Looking toward the future, Schinas linked current measures to preparations for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2028–2034. He urged the creation of a national plan for the agricultural sector that looks toward 2035 rather than just the next election cycle. In his view, the current climate presents a historic alignment of circumstances that could lead to the complete restructuring and modernization of the Greek agricultural economy.