At OPEKEPE and the method of returning the money, on subsidies to farmers and sheep and goat pox, among other topics, Christos Kellas spoke.
Kellas: How stolen OPEKEPE funds will be returned
The Deputy Minister of Agricultural Development speaking on ERTNews, initially discussing the return of money to OPEKEPE said: “These are the first tax numbers, approximately 1,036 tax IDs with a total amount of about 22.5 million euros, which were received illegally. Payment orders have already been issued and the accounts of these specific individuals have been frozen, and OPEKEPE has received instructions to block the accounts and demand these funds back as unduly paid amounts. These producers, who have received the amounts they each obtained, will be called to return them as unduly paid. For this reason, the accounts and possibly the assets of these 1,036 individuals have been frozen in the first phase, because the auditing and cross-checking controls by AADE and the anti-money laundering unit and Internal Affairs continue at intensive rates.”
Regarding the case where some may have given money to intermediaries and how they will repay, Christos Kellas mentioned that: “These are two different things. One is a criminal offense for the distribution and allocation of money, which has been undertaken by Internal Affairs, and the second part is the amount of money that was illegally received. What the tax ID that took the money they weren’t entitled to did with it, that’s an issue that doesn’t concern OPEKEPE at this moment. OPEKEPE will demand the amounts that were paid to specific producers as unduly paid.”
He added: “Instructions have already been given to OPEKEPE to demand back the money that was illegally paid to the specific tax ID, as unduly paid amounts. We’ve done this before, we did it last year when we demanded back and recovered the money that was paid by mistake from the erroneous payment made in 2022. It was demanded back as unduly paid and the largest percentage has already been collected.”
“The audit continues at intensive rates”
And he added: “The audit continues at intensive rates. These are the first thousand or so names, the tax IDs that have been audited and cross-checked. The audits continue at intensive rates and this is why payments from OPEKEPE are delayed, payments that were scheduled to be made on June 30, and precisely for this reason, it wasn’t due to indifference. We understand that our farmers and livestock breeders were waiting for this money. Right now OPEKEPE is ready and payment will begin immediately, starting with payments for organic products from previous years, and we will continue normally with successive payments during September for the remaining payments that have been delayed.”
Speaking about the Declaration Reception Centers he emphasized: “OSDE declarations are submitted to the respective declaration reception centers, the so-called KYDs throughout the country. Each farmer and livestock breeder has the ability to make the declaration themselves through gov.gr. However, very few do this, they consult the KYDs. At this moment, the audit by AADE and Internal Affairs continues regarding the certificates that were submitted during the creation of OSDE. These certificates have all been taken by Internal Affairs and of course these certificates are being checked for their authenticity and accuracy. But this is a process that will take considerable time.”
“OPEKEPE is a pathology of many years”
Regarding money returns, he commented: “We have said from the beginning that OPEKEPE is a pathology of many years and it’s also cross-party. But finally the time has come to put an end to this matter, and from now on, those who received money they weren’t entitled to – the stolen money – must return it, and on the other hand, subsidies should be paid fairly to those who are entitled to them. The largest percentage is European resources. They will be returned according to the percentage. If they were European or Greek resources, the corresponding percentage will be returned to European funds or to the Greek budget. Usually subsidies are 80% European money, 20% Greek. The distribution will be done accordingly when returning the money. We’re changing eras, turning a page, entering a new era. From now on there will be absolute transparency, fair support will exist, we’ll leave behind yesterday’s pathologies, and from now on the money, the subsidies will be distributed to those who truly deserve them.”
On sheep and goat pox: “It appears we have a recession in cases”
Referring to sheep and goat pox, he said: “In recent days it appears we have a recession in cases. Strict measures have been taken. We have emphasized in every tone and in all directions that delay or concealment of cases entails both administrative and criminal responsibilities.
From there on we want strict adherence to biosafety measures and we want cooperation from all bodies, first of all veterinarians, livestock breeders, together of course with veterinarians, regions and municipalities. I must tell you here, given the opportunity, that just the day before yesterday the Government Gazette was issued granting the unhealthy work allowance for regional veterinarians. A measure that shows exactly that we recognize the work performed by veterinarians for public health and for combating these epidemics last year.”
Regarding the announcements expected both for the agricultural world at the Thessaloniki International Fair and more broadly, Mr. Kellas stated: “As is customary every year from the TIF, announcements are made for the next year, mainly of an economic type. The Prime Minister will address citizens, he will address society. He will announce measures that will be, I believe, in the same direction as he has been doing in recent years, which will be for tax relief for citizens, for reducing insurance contributions, for helping small and medium-sized entrepreneurs and family heads, something we absolutely need.”
Finally, he added: “Our economy, as you can see from international publications, is an example to follow. The way our economy is developing. Greece, the Greek miracle, is called in all international foreign press. We will continue in this direction, mainly with lower taxes, smaller insurance contributions, fewer burdens, and of course the surpluses, which are mainly conceived from the conception of tax evasion, will be returned to citizens. No one disputes that high prices exist, the Ministry of Development tries to control prices and profiteering in the market with continuous inspections and high fines. On the other hand, of course, we have the struggle the government gives to help citizens by increasing incomes, increasing pensions, increasing wages and simultaneously reducing taxation. In 24 hours you will know all the announcements.”
