The European Commission has decided to ask member states to refund 143.18 million euros as a result of violations of the regulations on agricultural expenditures and the inadequacy of national control procedures. In the exercise of its statutory duty to control the use of EU resources as part of the common agricultural policy, the Executive has considered it justified to adopt a provision that especially concerns the Mediterranean states, “with a view to ensuring the correct expenditure of European taxpayers’ money”. The countries most affected by the Commission’s decision are France, called to return over 90 million euros due to irregularities in the sector of cattle premiums, and Italy, which is asked to reimburse Brussels with 20 million euros due to violations of the laws on public and private stockpiling. Other countries fined: Spain (11 million), Belgium (9 million) and Germany (7.5 million). The member states have until April to improve their domestic situation and, if necessary, meet the required standards, subject to the official and final go-ahead to the procedure for the recovery of the funds.
