In the delay of his payments OKAYthe investigation committee for the subsidy circuit, but also in its course sheep and goat pox mentioned the Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Christos Kellasspeaking to ERT.

Referring to the late payments, the minister admitted that there were significant problems “due to the well-known events that happened to OPEKEPE in July”, stressing that “the organization’s employees are racing” to complete the intersections as requested by the European Commission.

As he revealed, the relevant bill for the transfer of OPEKEPE to AADE is presented today to the Council of Ministers by Mr. Hatzidakis, Tsiaras and Pierrakakis. “The government is obliged to vote on it by December 31, as it is one of the three milestones set by the Commission,” he said.

According to him, by November 4, Greece must present to the Commission the new draft of IACS declarations and mapping rules. “We are working intensively to cross the threshold and not lose a single euro of the 2.5 billion euros annually received by the agricultural world,” he said, underlining that “the government will not risk European subsidies.”

When will farmers be paid?

Mr. Kellas assured that the payments will be made within November, namely:

“Within the first week of November, the refund of the tax on agricultural oil will be paid, without a ceiling.”

“Within the month, the advance payment of the basic aid, amounting to 550-600 million euros (70% of the total amount) will be given.”

“By the end of November, the 178 million euros of Measure 23 will be paid for the production losses and the 50 million euros for the reconstruction of the plant capital in Thessaly.”
“Fifteen days after the advance payment, the ELGA compensations for the spring frosts will also be paid.”

“The farmers’ anger is justified,” he stressed, however he clarified that “nothing will be paid without the necessary checks.”

For the arrests in OPEKEPE

The minister also referred to the arrests for the illegal subsidies ring, pointing out that “the knife will reach the bone”.

“22.5 million euros have already been requested as unduly paid from 1,000 TINs. Accounts and assets will be frozen. We will not calculate political costs”, he noted.

Responding to the criticism of the opposition, that “blue” officials are involved, he replied: “The government proposed a commission of inquiry from the beginning, and now it is proven how right it was. They are not blue, they are all colors. In the committee we hear things that no one imagined.”

“There is no approved vaccine for sheep and goat pox”

For sheep and goat smallpox, Mr. Kellas informed that a scientific committee of veterinary medicine professors from the Universities of Thessaloniki and Thessaly has been established, which meets daily and is expected to issue announcements within the next few days.

It is worth noting that the deputy minister categorically denied that other EU countries have proceeded with vaccinations, saying: “There is no European state that has vaccinated against smallpox. Anyone who says otherwise is spreading fake news. There is no approved vaccine either by the European Commission or by the EOF”.

According to the minister, around 350,000 animals have been killed, but the situation “seems to be de-escalating”.

“The cases have almost dropped to zero in Thessaly, but they persist in Serres, Achaia and Imathia,” he said, asking “that petty party benefits be put aside and that there be a common line for the good of livestock farming.”

Finally, Mr. informed that “last week 10 million euros were paid to farmers who lost animals due to smallpox” and that “the procedure for a new payment has already started”.

“The government will exhaust all means to support those who lost their herds,” he said, speaking of “a dramatic situation these people are experiencing.”

The meeting with a relative of a Tempe victim

Finally, it is worth noting that Mr. Kellas, commenting on yesterday’s October 28th parade in Larissa, noted that “the event was held peacefully and under the best conditions”, mentioning that he spoke with a relative of the victim of the accident in Tempe, who expressed to him the problems she is facing.

“I told her that I am at her disposal at all times, to help wherever and however I can,” he said characteristically, pointing out that “no one can monopolize sensitivity.”