KEDE approves support for South Pelion olive farming and addresses OSDE delays

The KEDE Committee for Rural Development unanimously approved measures to support olive cultivation in South Pelion and addressed technical delays regarding the 2026 OSDE declarations.

During a meeting in Agios Georgios Nilias, South Pelion Mayor Michalis Mitsikos proposed including the region's traditional olive cultivation—covering approximately 60,000 stremmata—into the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) coupled income support scheme. Mitsikos highlighted that the Konservolia Pilio Volou is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product and noted that high cultivation costs due to local soil characteristics necessitate financial support to prevent land abandonment and protect the local economy.

Additionally, Committee President Dimitris Tziachristas raised concerns regarding delays in the 2026 OSDE declaration process. He reported that only about 12,500 out of 650,000 declarations had been finalized at the time of the meeting. Tziachristas cited issues with the myACRO digital platform and difficulties linking land registries in certain areas. He called for a political solution from the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), suggesting that the current extension until September 25 may be insufficient for a smooth completion.