Greek MEP Sakis Arnaoutoglou urges faster aid for mussel and fruit farmers

Greek European Parliament member Sakis Arnaoutoglou visited mussel growers in Makrygianni, Pieria, meeting cooperative president Tasos Dragani and POAU Pieria chief Konstantinos Koutoupas. He highlighted delayed compensation for the August 2024 storm damage, rising energy costs, and illegal mussel trade undermining legitimate producers. Arnaoutoglou called for stricter inspections, full product traceability and accelerated licensing for aquaculture zones, stating, «Δεν μπορεί να επιβραβεύεται η παρανομία και να τιμωρείται ο νόμιμος μυδοκαλλιεργήτης».

The next day he travelled to Imathia, touring the “Ermis” and “Omonoia” agricultural cooperatives and meeting the Agricultural Association of Veria. Fruit growers reported severe damage to peaches, apricots, plums and cherries from extreme weather, phytosanitary threats and soaring production costs. They complained of inadequate and delayed state compensation. Arnaoutoglou warned that Greek and EU producers face unfair competition from imports produced under looser standards, urging a revised ELGA payout system and a new Common Agricultural Policy that addresses real‑world costs, liquidity, and climate resilience. He said, «Οι αγρότες ... ζητούν λύσεις, αποζημιώσεις και δίκαιη στήριξη».