“Biological production programs avoid being controlled and then” disappear “,” the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Costas Tsiaras, revealed that the controls are continuing to continue.

At the same time, he sent a message of zero tolerance for illegal aid by OPECEPE, making it clear that everyone would go back the money. “Everyone will be faced with criminal responsibilities and this is a clear position,” he added.

Speaking to ERT, the Minister of Rural Development and Food at the same time described the depth of the problem, accusing those who are exploiting the case by the opposition.

He reiterated that the prime minister’s political mandate is clear: to restore OPEKEPE’s credibility and end the opacity of decades.

What did he say about controls on organic crops and certifications

In particular, Mr Tsiaras stressed that extensive controls on biological aid and ecological regimens are underway through ELGO and the relevant Services of the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning.

In fact, he revealed that he has been observed ‘Huge number of retirements’ from organic beekeeping and biological livestock farming. As he noted, the auditors “disappear” when the audit began by the competent services, which he described as a “big issue”.

He also reminded that, by his personal decision, Payments were suspended in organic beekeeping and organic livestock farming.

Mr Tsiaras made it clear that he would not make any payment, “if we have not ensured that money is given to those who are truly entitled to.”

FOR OPECEPE

Speaking about the presence of the Financial Police at OPEKEPE, the minister said that for about three weeks he had been giving up data and this resulted in payments that were launched in the end of June that they had not yet taken place. The first payment was made just a few days ago, last Friday, and the minister expressed optimism that, next time, “we will enter a number of significant payments”.

Mr Tsiaras assured that the government was not hiding and would not cover anyone: “We did not refuse to set up an Inquiry Committee and to investigate any responsibilities if evidence arises. We will not hide behind our finger. Obviously we will also go to pre -trial, if evidence arises “and attributed” small -party feasibility “to opposition objections, noting that they know that” if there is a report of ministers, the case file is forwarded to the House “.

Finally, he reiterated his fixed personal position that it is wrong for Members to assume the role of a self -sufficient judge.

In closing, the Minister of Rural Development noted that, from the first moment, when Kyriakos Mitsotakis phoned him, to assign him the duties of the Minister of Rural Development and Food, his mandate was clear: “to clear the OPEKEPE image”.

As he commented, this is the political initiative, this is the political will “and that is what we have said in every direction”.