Commissioner Hansen, in a written answer on 9 July 2026, acknowledged Greece's decision to cancel organic beekeeping and livestock farming programmes worth EUR 134 million, citing widespread irregularities and high non-compliance rates. The Commissioner stressed that Member States must protect EU financial interests and that cancellation is at Greece's discretion, provided it respects proportionality and the fact that no beneficiaries were confirmed. The answer responds to a question from S&D MEP Yannis Maniatis, who raised concerns about the blanket cancellation and the redirection of funds to 'other priorities' potentially unrelated to sustainable agriculture.
Hansen noted that the Commission is assessing information from Greek authorities in an ongoing enquiry. He confirmed that Greece intends to submit a request for a strategic plan amendment in September 2026, which would allow redirecting the freed-up resources to other interventions. The Commission will then evaluate the amendment's consistency with CAP regulations and its contribution to the CAP's specific objectives. The answer does not commit to protecting compliant producers affected by the cancellation, instead referring to the principle of proportionality and the absence of confirmed beneficiaries.
The Commission supports Member States' autonomy to cancel poorly managed programmes while insisting on compliance with EU law. The upcoming amendment request will determine whether funds stay within organic or sustainable agriculture objectives. Institutional follow-up: Greece's formal amendment request is expected in September 2026, after which the Commission will assess and decide. The case highlights tensions between national enforcement of EU funds and the EU's green ambitions under the CAP.