“There is no doubt that the OPEKEPE scandal is certainly cross-party. There are Greens, there are Blues, and I don’t know what else will come out next,” stated Christos Kellas, Deputy Minister of Agricultural Development and Food, speaking on Parapolitika 90.1 radio show “She and I” with journalists Stella Gantona and Thanasis Fouskidis. Furthermore, Christos Kellas noted that so far no political responsibilities have emerged. He also mentioned that there are delays in farmer payments processed through OPEKEPE and that according to European directive, nothing is paid without prior inspection.
“On October 20th, OSDE closed and approximately one month after OSDE’s closure, the advance payment for basic support is made, 70% of the basic support. Around November 20th we will have the advance payment for basic support, which is an amount of around 550 to 600 million euros for the entire agricultural and livestock sector of the country, and approximately 15 days later, ELGA will pay the advance for damages caused by frost in spring. This is followed by measure 23, which we are implementing for the first time as a government and ministry, where funds from program cuts or surplus money from other programs will be given to support the agricultural sector because last year was very bad both in terms of production and prices,” the deputy minister noted.
Excerpts from Christos Kellas interview on Parapolitika 90.1 – What he said about OPEKEPE
C.KELLAS: There are delays in payments, many payments that should have been made by June 31st have not been made due to the disruption caused by the OPEKEPE issue. Since last week, two payments have been made: one payment to the Aegean islands where Chios mastic and Naxos potatoes were paid around 1.5 million euros, followed by payment for old organic programs for organic production and beekeeping – organic livestock farming was not paid – and tomorrow we will have payment for uncultivated fields due to sediment materials worth 12 million euros as well as support for animal feed to livestock farmers across the country due to prolonged confinement, which amounts to up to 63 million euros, followed by the refund of Special Consumption Tax on fuel by the end of next week.
C.KELLAS: According to European directive, nothing is paid without prior inspection, otherwise we risk European subsidies.
C.KELLAS: On October 20th OSDE closed, approximately one month after OSDE’s closure the advance payment for basic support is made, 70% of basic support. Around November 20th we will have the advance payment for basic support, which is an amount of around 550 to 600 million euros for the entire agricultural and livestock sector of the country, and approximately 15 days later ELGA will pay the advance for damages caused by frost in spring. This is followed by measure 23, which we are implementing for the first time as a government and ministry, where funds from program cuts or surplus money from other programs will be given to support the agricultural sector because last year was very bad both in terms of production and prices.
On the OPEKEPE scandal:
C.KELLAS: There is no doubt that the OPEKEPE scandal is certainly cross-party. There are Greens, there are Blues, and I don’t know what else will come out next.
When asked if he estimates there are political responsibilities:
C.KELLAS: With what we have established so far, we haven’t seen political responsibilities anywhere, but I don’t know what might emerge next.
When asked if he considers the decision to transfer responsibilities for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to the Ministry of National Defense correct:
C.KELLAS: The presidential guard and consequently the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded by the presidential guard, falls under the Ministry of National Defense. Cleaning and mopping is the responsibility of the Municipality of Athens, which for political reasons is causing trouble about other matters.
