The Court of Audit has identified serious weaknesses in the former OPEKEPE farm subsidy agency’s internal controls, payment procedures and eligibility checks, according to its audit of a special fund used to make subsidy payments for the 2023 financial year.
The report found deficiencies in the agency’s information systems, payment calculations and mechanisms for verifying beneficiaries, raising concerns over the management of around €3.4 billion in EU-funded agricultural support.
Auditors said incorrect payments totaling €52 million were made, including €9 million under the Green Support scheme, after aid was calculated using beneficiaries’ entitlements from the previous year. The report also identified irregular and unlawful payments, which will be subject to recovery procedures.
Further shortcomings were found in the 2023-2027 Beekeeping Program, including inadequate controls, payments exceeding approved limits and the reimbursement of ineligible VAT expenses.
The audit also highlighted fragmented IT infrastructure, with more than 130 standalone information systems lacking interoperability, incomplete on-site inspections, failures to record inspection results, and the absence of key safeguards such as links with the national cadastre and tax authority databases.
