Mafia bosses used EU agricultural funds for criminal activity in the region of the Nebrodi National Park in Sicily (Italy). Currently, 48 out of 94 suspects have been arrested, and 150 companies have been closed.
According to Italian authorities, two different mafia clans shared agricultural land in the Nebrodi region and since 2013 mistakenly received about 10 million euros in the form of EU agricultural subsidies.
The Italian press reports that the 150 companies in question only partially existed on paper, or their owners were forced to transfer land.
It is reported that officials from the Agricultural Payments Agency (AGEA) in Sicily were also involved in fraud or, at least, did not carefully monitor it.
Arable land and land suitable for agriculture occupy less than 1/3 of Italy.
The European Commission takes this very seriously and adheres to clear rules. The authorities of the European Union pursue a zero tolerance policy regarding the misuse of European funds in member states.
In case of improper or criminal use of these funds, there are mechanisms for their recovery.
According to the European Court of Auditors, in 2018 less than 2% of agricultural funds were used for other purposes, not only because of deliberate misuse or criminal misappropriation of funds, but also because of errors in their use.
Promoting fraud is an increasingly important area for the mafia, said investigating judge Salvatore Mastroeni in Messina. The investigation is ongoing, said spokesman for the EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski.
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