‘Irregularities’ in the use of funds sent to Portugal under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have been spotted and the European Commission is insisting on the return of the money.
Portugal is not alone, but this is no excuse for fiddling and a total of €57 million from 15 member states has been identified for repayment as it has been obtained or spent outside the conditions of grant aid, or for fines for late reporting.
France is the biggest sinner with €20 million identified for return.
The other countries who have to return money to Brussels are Germany, Spain, Italy, UK, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia.
The EC argues that the returns are a small part of the massive CAP budget each year and the fact that it is asking for money back means it is at least paying attention.
Critics point to a vast bureaucracy that sends money to any farmer who can sign his name.
The CAP expenditure accounts for €55bn, or 40% of the European Union’s annual budget, with the largest share spent on direct aid and market intervention measures, perhaps no wonder then that fraudsters and organised crime gets involved.
