Source: European Parliament
1. It is the responsibility of the Member States to ensure that payments are disbursed to the beneficiaries in full and within the payment deadlines as laid down by Union law[1]. Member States must ensure that the area and animal-based payments are made between 1 December and 30 June of the calendar year following the applications, after sufficient checks have been carried out by the national authorities. Payments outside the deadlines lead to proportionate reductions from EU financing of up to 100%.
2. Member States are bound by the obligation to protect the financial interests of the Union and, in particular, to ensure effective prevention against fraud. The Commission performs systems audits to obtain assurance on the proper functioning of the governance systems. In order to enhance transparency, Member States have the obligation to publish the beneficiaries on their national websites.
3. The Greek paying agency (OPEKEPE) must maintain an administrative organisation and a governance system which comply with the accreditation criteria[2]. The Ministry of Rural Development and Food (MRDF) is responsible for ensuring OPEKEPE’s compliance with the accreditation criteria. On 10 September 2024, the MRDF placed OPEKEPE’s accreditation on probation for a period of 12 months and initiated an action plan to address the deficiencies identified relating to the compliance with accreditation criteria. The Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development is closely monitoring the implementation of this action plan.