Thousands of farmers were left without subsidy payments over Easter, as only €202 million was disbursed to 128,063 beneficiaries on Holy Wednesday and Thursday, far short of the roughly €460 million that should have been distributed by now.
The delays stem from the fact that the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), which replaced OPEKEPE as the payment agency after the recent scandal, is proceeding cautiously to comply with European legislation.
AADE remains in the evaluation phase before receiving official EU certification as the body responsible for agricultural support payments in Greece.
New Agriculture Minister Margaritis Schinas traveled to Brussels on Tuesday for his first visit in the role, accompanied by AADE chief Giorgos Pitsilis.
The strict controls now in place have postponed many payments until data can be reexamined, slowing procedures and fueling frustration among farmers who argue they are once again penalized for others’ violations and for the state’s inability to distinguish “who is stealing and who is honest.”
Satellite images used to verify producers’ declarations identified an estimated 60,000-70,000 potentially false claims. Legislation requires further review, but three months later the process remains incomplete, leaving both lawful and unlawful applicants unpaid.
Shortly before resigning as minister on April 1, Kostas Tsiaras signed a decision suspending fines until checks conclude to avoid greater discontent.
Main opposition PASOK’s agricultural policy division said farmers “are paying the price of government failure,” noting that the April 7 payment “did not solve problems but worsened dysfunctions.”
Party MP Manolis Chnaris said the small number of beneficiaries “questions the effectiveness, speed and – above all – the reliability of the new system.”
Government sources maintain AADE will soon receive EU certification.