News European Court of Auditors
'EU must do more against fraud with CAP money'
The European Commission must do more to detect and prevent fraud with money from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). That is the conclusion of an investigation by the European Court of Auditors into expenditure in the CAP.
The CAP is the largest single item in the EU budget and contains a number of schemes that are particularly exposed to fraud risks. "Spending areas subject to more complex rules - for example investment measures for rural development - and some CAP payment schemes aimed at supporting specific categories of beneficiaries have been shown to be prone to fraud", the Court writes.
land robbery
The report also warns against 'land grabbing'. In the EU context, 'land grabbing' is associated with the concentration of agricultural land and CAP subsidies among large companies and investors, especially in Eastern European Member States. Some pastures and mountainous areas are especially prone to this type of fraud. It is difficult for the authorities to check whether the stated agricultural activity, such as grazing, for example, is actually carried out.
The last analysis of the fraud risk within the CAP by the European Commission dates from 2016. According to the Court of Auditors, it is high time to re-examine and update the current fraud risks within the spending schemes. In addition, the Commission should promote the possibilities offered by new technology - such as data mining, machine learning and satellite imagery for example - in the fight against fraud by Member States.
The Court of Auditors' report is here to read.
Jurphaas Lugtenburg
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