Greek MEP Galato Alexandraki (ECR) has asked the European Commission how it plans to shield legitimate farmers and livestock breeders from the consequences of a major EU agricultural aid fraud investigation involving the Greek paying agency OPEKEPE and the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). The written question, submitted on 22 April 2026, seeks assurances that honest producers will not suffer delays or financial losses due to the ongoing probe.
Alexandraki's question follows EPPO's 1 April 2026 announcement that it had requested the waiver of immunity of 11 sitting Greek MPs as part of an investigation into an organised fraud scheme in agricultural funds through OPEKEPE. The Commission itself reported in February 2026 that, due to serious deficiencies in OPEKEPE's management and control system, the agency had been on probation since September 2024, with an extension until 26 March 2026, and that financial corrections of EUR 415 million had already been imposed.
Concrete asks and policy direction The MEP's question contains three concrete requests. First, she asks for the current accreditation and Union surveillance regime for OPEKEPE as of 26 March 2026, when the probation extension expired. Second, she demands specific measures to ensure that legitimate farmers and livestock breeders receive their aid in a timely and complete manner. Third, she seeks guarantees that recovery of improperly paid amounts and financial consequences will fall on those actually responsible, not on honest producers.
she advocates for protecting the interests of genuine agricultural producers, who risk being caught in the crossfire of fraud investigations and potential fund suspensions. The question implies a concern that the Commission's financial corrections and any future penalties could be passed on to farmers rather than the fraudsters.
Expected follow-up The Commission is required to reply to written parliamentary questions within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal the Commission's stance on balancing the protection of the EU budget with the need to safeguard innocent beneficiaries. The reply will also clarify whether OPEKEPE's accreditation status has changed since the probation deadline and what safeguards are in place to prevent honest farmers from bearing the cost of fraud.
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