Italy: EPPO seizes €161 000 in investigation into agricultural funding fraud

(Luxembourg, 23 January 2024) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo (Italy), a freezing order was executed yesterday against a farmer suspected of agricultural funding fraud, with an estimated damage of €161 000.

According to the investigation, the suspect forged statements to falsely declare ownership and possession of 64 hectares of land in the province of Caltanissetta, in order to obtain European Union agricultural funds. It is believed that, between 2017 and 2022, the suspect unduly obtained €161 000 from the Italian Agricultural Payments Agency (AGEA – Agenzia per le erogazioni in agricoltura).

The freezing order, issued at the request of the EPPO by the judge for preliminary investigations of the court of Caltanissetta, was executed yesterday by the Carabinieri Agri-food Protection Department of Messina (Reparto Carabinieri per la Tutela Agroalimentare di Messina).

All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Italian courts of law.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (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.