Agriculture Minister Says Romania Could Pay Less Than EUR75M To EU For Misused Funds

04.19.2011 By Gavrila Oana

Romania could pay less than EUR75 million as penalties to the European Commission for misused EU funds, Agriculture Minister Valeriu Tabara told MEDIAFAX in an interview.

Romania could pay less than EUR75 million as penalties to the European Commission for misused EU funds, Agriculture Minister Valeriu Tabara told MEDIAFAX in an interview.

The minister said the initial penalty was of EUR100 and has been reduced by about EUR25 million following check-ups by the Court of Accounts.

"We hope the sum will be reduced even further," the minister said.

He said the money must be paid in five installments and is withdrawn from other funds.

The European Commission has claimed back EUR74.9 million from Romania, as the country misused European agricultural policy funds.

Problems in using agriculture subsidies in Romania refer to administrative cross-checks, inaccurate information provided to farmers and ineffective on-the-spot verification with regard to area aid (also relates to area based Rural Development measures), said the EC.

The total sum to be recovered by the Commission amounts to EUR530 million, with Greece to return EUR260 million, Spain EUR115 million, the UK EUR26.95 million, Bulgaria EUR24.54 million and the Netherlands EUR22.69 million.

Tabara explained the penalties are for funds used in 2007 and 2008.