By Yannis Anifantis

The existence of voluntary producer retirements from the biological livestock programs and beekeeping programs, before the on -the -spot checks were launched, the Minister of Rural Development and Food even started. Costas Tsiarasin his conversation with parliamentary authors.

In fact, as the Minister pointed out, they either cancel the contract with the certificate of organization (which is a prerequisite for their accession) or they say that they withdraw their application. According to him, these are the first consequences of intensifying the audit framework announced by the ministry.

Answering a timely question of Alexis Haritsiargued that the responsibility for the OPECEPE case, is divided over time. As he said“These checks for this fine began in 2009” and“The implications relate to the period from 2016 to 2023”, adding that “From 2016 to 2019, the fine is 103 million.”

“The part of the responsibility that concerns us, we have already taken over.”he underlined and pointed out that “Anyone who says it falls from the clouds, pretends to‘. You even called on the political forces to admit that OPECEPE has been operating for years with inadequate controls, which led to the imposition of heavy correction by Commission.

Mr Tsiaras made it clear that budgetary correction is not related to investigated fraud cases by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, but to “Implementation of European regulations governing the granting of Community aid”.

In terms of repaymentexplained how it would be done through offsetting with Future European Aidwhile part of the amount will be covered by ‘Money that will be returned to the state budget’ and from him ‘Rationalizing payments’ already applied.

Referring to fine Mr. Tsiaras again attacked SYRIZA, arguing that part of the cases under investigation is based on decisions and legislative initiatives of the previous government. “20% of the fine is for the SYRIZA period”he said, adding that “We cannot represent the unknown.”