Brussels, 10/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 9 July, the European Commission adopted a decision making it an obligation for nine EU member states (Germany, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland and Sweden) to reimburse the total amount of €410.3 million in agricultural support considered unduly spent. This amount will be paid back into the Community budget. This is the 28th decision of its kind since reform of the system for recovery of funds unduly paid out under the common agricultural policy (CAP).
The main financial corrections concern: €145.2 million imputed to Italy because of shortcomings in controls of land for receiving subsidies in the arable crops sector, and €127.7 million that Greece is to reimburse because of the failings in the system for identifying plots of land and in on-the-spot controls of surface area aid and subsidies for nuts. The United Kingdom is expected to refund €69.4 million due to the lack of valid controls on surfaces eligible for aid to arable crops. (L.C./transl.jl)