(Luxembourg, 14 July 2023) – Yesterday, upon request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bologna (Italy), the Italian Carabinieri executed a freezing order of €153 000, as part of an investigation into aggravated fraud involving agricultural subsidies for young farmers.
At issue is a farm located in the province of Parma that obtained aid for young farmers from the Emilia-Romagna region, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and managed by the agricultural payments agency in that region (AGREA – Agenzia regionale per le erogazioni in agricoltura).
However, according to the investigation, the legal representative of the agricultural company falsely claimed to be a young farmer managing a new farm, in order to obtain those subsidies. The evidence showed that the farm was actually managed by his parents, who did not meet the requirements for obtaining the money.
The freezing order, issued upon request of the EPPO by the judge for preliminary investigations of the Court of Brescia, was executed by the Carabinieri of Bologna - Investigative Department - EPPO Section.
All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Italian courts of law.
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.