[420 Girl]

The European Commission (EC) has demanded that Spain return 49.1 million euros due to irregularities in agricultural spending, of which most (47 million) are due to problems in fruit and vegetables.

Brussels has imposed a penalty of 54.4 million for deficiencies in the control of agricultural funds, but the final amount is 49 million because the EC has also decided to return to the Spanish treasury 5 million euros for the implementation of aid for flax and hemp.

Within that fine, the EC has called for 47.5 million for poor controls in the fruit and vegetable sectors and 4.73 million in fines for errors in the dairy sector and failing to meet payment deadlines. In the case of horticulture, the EC has identified in the statement of activities eligible for support within the program.

Spain also has demanded the return of 2.24 million by inadequate surveillance on farms on environmental requirements laid down by the EU for granting aid (eco-conditionality).

By contrast, the EC will reimburse Spain 5 million as a result of the EU Court of Justice which reversed part of the penalty that was imposed on raw hemp.

The penalty against Spain is part of a decision adopted today by the EC along with call to another 19 countries to return 346.5 million euros for mismanagement of funds from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Ciolos, said in a statement that the settlement of accounts is "a very important exercise to ensure that countries put in place adequate controls to ensure that taxpayers' money is spent appropriately".

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