Greek farmers clashed with police over delayed EU subsidy payments, using hundreds of tractors to shut the Athens–Thessaloniki motorway near Larissa on Sunday, prompting a tear-gas response and three arrests.
Authorities say payments were reduced due to an ongoing €30m subsidy-fraud investigation, with Deputy Minister Christos Kellas confirming: “They received 100 million euros [$116m] less at this stage.”
The Deputy Minister added, “After appeals, those who are entitled to funds will receive them.”
The scandal has caused a minister’s resignation, while parallel parliamentary probes continue into OPEKEPE, the agency distributing nearly €2.5bn in EU aid annually.
Livestock farmers are also demanding compensation after 400,000 sheep and goats were culled to contain a sheep pox outbreak, as officials maintain there is no proven evidence vaccines work.
Source: Al Jazeera
