Greek Parliament debates Fisheries Code and OPEKEPE subsidy settlement

The Greek Parliament is engaged in a heated debate over the Fisheries Code bill, specifically focusing on Article 74. This provision aims to settle outstanding OPEKEPE agricultural subsidy applications for the 2018-2022 period.

Opposition parties, including PASOK, have criticized the measure, alleging it serves as a ‘photographic’ provision designed to amnesty individuals involved in the OPEKEPE subsidy scandal. They argue the government is attempting to cover up illegalities without proper consultation.

Minister of Rural Development and Food, Margaritis Schoinas, has defended the regulation, stating it is intended to resolve a deadlock affecting approximately 50,000 legitimate producers whose cases were complicated by the introduction of forest maps. Schoinas emphasized that the provision does not change eligibility requirements, does not legalize undeclared land, and that judicial investigations and audits will continue unaffected.

To address concerns, the Ministry introduced technical improvements to the article, explicitly stating that legal land use is a prerequisite for the regulation and that all national and European audits remain in force. The debate also touched upon broader issues of rural decline and the management of the agricultural sector.