The new ELGA regulation, which will remain public in nature, is 99% ready and before it enters into force there will be a new public consultation and the Organization for Payments and Control of Community Aids and Guarantees (OPEKEPE), “it is not unfounded”, begins the declassification of the approximately 16,000 reserved VAT numbers and pays its debts. This was pointed out by the Minister of Rural Development, Lefteris Avgenakis, during today’s press conference in Thessaloniki, given on the occasion of the opening of the 30th anniversary Agrotica (1-4/2) at TIF, which he will inaugurate at 7 pm.

“We want an agricultural insurance institution, which will maintain its public character, but will offer more security to Greek producers”, pointed out Mr. Avgenakis, saying that after 25 years we are very close to the new regulation. “We are 99% ready with regard to the new ELGA regulation, which will move on two levels and before it comes into force it will be put to a public consultation”he stated categorically.

Noting that in the four-year period 2020-2023, compensations of more than 1 billion euros were paid by the organization, in application of the current legislation, “with only half of the amount being covered by the insurance contributions of farmers”, as emphasized by Mr. Avgenakis, the he announced that from February 20th, compensations to producers for losses of the year 2023 will begin to be paid.

“Compensation payments are being paid two months earlier than those set out in the current legislation, according to which they would start to be paid after April 15, 2024, and since by March 31, 2024 producers would have paid the due Special Insurance Contribution for 2023 “, as he explained.

He explained that the compensation payments will be at 100% of the calculated value, according to the findings that are registered in ELGA’s computers, “in contrast to what is deliberately circulating about a horizontal reduction of compensations to producers, with the aim of causing unrest and reactions”.

OPEKEPE: 16,000 reserved TINs are declassified – The Organization is not immune

The Organization for Payments and Control of Community Aids and Guarantees (OPEKEPE), “is not untouchable”, clarified the Minister of Rural Development and Food and saying that it manages about 2.8 billion euros per year, announced that “our aim is in the first 6 months of 2024 to finally operate its modern telephone center for the benefit of all people in the primary sector”.

He emphasized that OPEKEPE has already started the declassification of approximately 16,000 frozen TINs based on the reason for their freezing, through administrative checks and where necessary, an immediate on-site check is planned (for the years 2020 – 2023).

He made it clear that “the goal of the organization and the new administration is for those who are legally entitled to be paid the money they are entitled to and for the rest to be referred to justice for further investigation” and added that: “I have already given an order, those beneficiaries have appealed to justice and they have been entitled to be paid immediately, as should have been done a long time ago.”

Especially for the OPEKEPE call center, Mr. Avgenakis characteristically noted that “the organization in practice opens its doors to all farmers, breeders, beekeepers and fishermen. Following my suggestion, the organization’s board of directors approved its support with a Farmer Service Center yesterday.

He clarified that OPEKEPE is planning a modern call center environment that will provide services to facilitate the daily life of the beneficiaries and said “we are restoring the self-evident and necessary provision of information and answers to the questions and concerns of our country’s farmers. The Organization belongs to the farmers of the country. It’s not unattainable.”

Ecological Schemes-370,000 beneficiaries will receive 425 million euros

Speaking about the ecological schemes, he pointed out that the potential beneficiaries to date amount to approximately 370,000 and the amount of aid amounts to 425 million euros. As he clarified, until 15/2/2024 the opening of the single aid application 2023 for the Ecological Schemes is expected, “since a new circular of OPEKEPE has preceded that which will simplify the procedures and reduce the supporting documents for their activation, in order for the beneficiaries to correct their applications and with the possibility of submitting random new applications”, as he emphasized. Afterwards, the organization will carry out administrative and on-site checks and the payment of the above amount is calculated before Easter, according to Mr. Avgenakis.

Correction of the 2023 Single Aid Application

“We are correcting the administrative errors and omissions of the previous term of OPEKEPE”, noted Mr. Avgenakis, saying that the request of the beneficiaries for corrections in general to the 2023 Unified Application for Grants and the corrective payment, which is also expected to be made before the Easter, it will absorb the unused funds of the previous year, amounting to 88 million euros. “The opening of the application will take place at the same time as that of the Ecological Schemes”, he emphasized.

Payment of Linked Aids

For the payment of the linked aid, it is estimated to take place within April and the amount amounts to 245 million euros, while for the opening of the IACS application, he emphasized “we are returning to normality and operating transparently”. In this context, he announced that the opening of the IACS 2024 application will take place in March, in order for OPECE to make timely checks and valid payments, making good use of the last euro.

Clearance of Applications from Older Years

OPEKEPE has already started the procedures with the contracting company in order to correct and repay the beneficiaries for the years 2014 – 2019 based on the old CAP as well as for the transitional period 2020 – 2022 and “amounts and dates we will be able to give soon,” he clarified.