Since next week the payments of OPECEPEas announced by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Costas Tsiaras. In interviews with Realfm and Maxfm he made it clear that farmers have no reason to worry about the aid, he sent a message that we will get the money back “from those who have received illegal subsidies, while at the same time being compensated for the blessing and the costs.

Mr Tsiaras clarified that delays in some payments are related to the OPECEPE resolution attempt. “In order to consolidate the body, there must be procedures that have not been done in the past. There will be no involvement in the flow of aid from Europe, “he said, adding that” OPEKEPE will begin to pay – after the necessary checks – “.

Concerning the audits, Costas Tsiaras recalled that a special team has been operating for two months with the participation of the Financial Police and AADE, all the data have been gathered, cross -checks are being made and dozens of cases have already been referred to the prosecutor. He even stated that “every time something new emerges, I am surprised by the way some were moving to get illegal subsidies”, pointing out that the problem is in a system “supposed to ensure legitimacy, but in fact allowed them to be savvy.”

On the issue of the Zoonos, he explained that the measures are not decided nationally, but are defined by the EU:

“As far as zoonoses that can be hit by a whole country’s livestock, there is a specific European directive that provides for the steps to be taken. As for the plague, so for the smallpox, since there is even a case of a herd, the directive provides that all animals are killed. ” He acknowledged that this is “a very big blow to the farmer”, but clarified that the measures are implemented through the regions, with the ministry giving the guidelines.

For compensation in the smallpox, he noted that “the compensation we give per killed animal is 250 euros for purebreds and 220 euros for the rest, which is the overwhelming majority. No other European country is given compensation at this height. This is a real financial breath for farmers. ” He explained, however, that the final amount of compensation depends on the full record: “Other to talk about 500 and another about 1,500 animals. That’s why the situation needs to calm down first. “

He said that “63m euros have been approved by the Ministry of Finance for animals found or killed after a period of time. It is brave funding, with a scaling of 6 to 14 euros per animal, depending on the duration of incarceration. ” At the same time he pointed out that this money is up to June.

Finally, he criticized the opposition and Alexis Tsipras:

“Greek citizens remember very well what we lived in the period 2015–2019. The country was EU, the banks closed. Any comparison with today shows a completely different reality. In 2025 Greece has entered the rate of growth and economic consolidation, has a role in Europe and the world, shields its defense and faces challenges. ” As he admitted, “there is always a fatigue in society”, but, as he said, “citizens have matured, can judge and compare.”