"Police used tear gas on Sunday as the farmers brought hundreds of tractors to block the Athens-Thessaloniki national highway near the central city of Larissa. Officers made three arrests, police said, but the farmers managed to close the highway ahead of additional protests planned for next week. "We will stay here until [the government] gives solutions," local farm trade unionist Costas Tzelas told reporters."
"Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Christos Kellas told the ERT public broadcaster on Sunday that farmers had received reduced EU subsidies as the investigation into fraudulent claims was still under way. They received 100 million euros [$116m] less at this stage, he added. After appeals, those who are entitled to funds will receive them. Greek authorities have launched separate investigations, and the parliament is probing the government agency OPEKEPE,"
"The delay in payments comes amid investigations into a scandal in which some farmers allegedly faked land and livestock ownership to receive EU agricultural subsidies. Greek officials say the fraudsters made more than 30 million euros ($35m) worth of false claims for Common Agricultural Policy subsidies. The scandal has already led to the resignation of a minister in the conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis."
Farmers brought hundreds of tractors to block the Athens-Thessaloniki highway near Larissa, prompting clashes with police and use of tear gas. Officers made three arrests while farmers closed the road and planned further protests next week. EU agricultural subsidy payments were delayed amid investigations into alleged fraud in which some farmers faked land and livestock ownership to claim funds. Greek officials say fraudsters made more than 30 million euros in false Common Agricultural Policy claims. Authorities reduced current subsidy payments by about 100 million euros as the probe continues, and appeals will restore funds for those entitled. Parliament is probing OPEKEPE, and livestock farmers seek compensation after losing over 400,000 sheep and goats to sheep pox.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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