Mis-spent funds are clawed back

€ 115.25 million of EU farm money mis-spent by EU member states is to be recovered following European Commission approval on July 22nd 2003. Inadequate control procedures by member states or non-compliance with EU rules on agricultural expenditure are the reasons for the reclaim. All the funds are to be reclaimed from three countries, Greece, Italy and France. 62.5% of the total, some € 73.43 million, is charged to Greece, of which € 45.14 million is for shortcomings in the control systems for olive oil, fibre plants and seeds, while some € 22.25 million is charged to Italy (out of a total of € 35.3 million) for shortcomings in the controls in the fruit-and-vegetable sector; France has to return 46.52 million for shortcomings in inspection visits to arable crops. With member states being responsible for implementing EU schemes and actually disbursing funds, the Commission has to ensure that all funds are committed in line with EU rules. Money is reclaimed when member states have not fully complied with EU rules. Comment: The on-going problems of compliance with EU rules raises important questions related to the 'flexibility ' to be allowed to member states in implementing a reformed CAP. Will this flexibility allow further abuses of the system leading to an increase in the clawing back of mis-spent funds or will it generate increased tolerance of 'non-compliance'?€ 115.25 million of EU farm money mis-spent by..