(Luxembourg, 25 March 2026) – In an investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Timișoara (Romania), 49 searches were carried out last week across nine counties, as part of a probe into suspected subsidy fraud in the beekeeping sector.
As previously reported, the investigation concerns 388 applications for financial support submitted to the Romanian Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA) for the 2023 and 2024 agricultural campaigns. The subsidies, financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and the national budget, , each covering 50% of the amount granted, were intended to support beekeeping activities.
According to the investigation, the applications were submitted on behalf of multiple beneficiaries by the same individual. It is suspected that the beneficiaries did not actually own the bee colonies, beekeeping equipment or treatment products declared in the supporting documentation.
The investigation indicates that false or misleading documents may have been used to obtain EU and national funds unlawfully, with the estimated damage amounting to approximately €1.32 million.
The searches targeted suppliers of queen bees and bee colonies and were carried out at homes, business premises and apiaries. Investigators sought to verify the existence of the declared equipment and livestock, as well as to collect relevant documentation.
The investigation and searches were carried out with the support of the EPPO Support Structure in Romania - Timișoara Territorial Office (Structura de sprijin a procurorilor europeni delegați în România - Biroul Teritorial Timișoara), the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police - Transport Police Directorate and its regional services in Timișoara, Braşov, Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest, as well as their subordinate units (Inspectoratul General al Poliției Române-Direcția Poliției Transporturi-Serviciile Regionale Timișoara, Braşov, Cluj-Napoca, Bucureşti), and the Alba County Police Inspectorate (Inspectoratul de Poliție Județean Alba).
All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Romanian 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.