Bulgaria: Sheep farmer suspected of agricultural subsidy fraud

(Luxembourg, 3 April 2024) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Sofia (Bulgaria) has proposed to the Sofia District Court an administrative penalty for a farmer suspected of agricultural subsidy fraud and document forgery.

The suspects owns a sheep farm in the municipality of Varshets (Montana district) and had successfully applied for funds to modernise his farm in the amount of BGN 134 770 (around €69 000), 85% of which was financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and 15% by the national budget.

In order to obtain these funds, the suspect needed to submit a number of documents, including one to prove that he had no existing tax obligations. The investigation carried out by the State Fund Agriculture (Държавен фонд „Земеделие) showed that the farmer actually did have tax obligations and submitted a false document during his application for the funds. The requested funds were therefore not released and the damages were prevented.

If convicted, the suspect can receive a fine up to BGN 5000 (around €2500).

The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.