Greece submits action plan to modernise OPEKEPE’s farm aid system
The Greek government has submitted an Action Plan to the European Commission to fully modernise the Management and Control System of OPEKEPE, the national Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid.
The plan, submitted on Tuesday, includes measures such as creating a new geospatial map to distinguish between eligible and non-eligible farmland, introducing electronic tagging for sheep and goat herds, increasing targeted inspections by mixed teams, and verifying land ownership through cross-checks with the National Cadastre and other digital databases.
The Action Plan aligns with European Commission recommendations and includes strict implementation deadlines.
Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis described the plan as a “major reform that will greatly enhance the credibility of the agricultural aid system,” noting that it was designed to prevent any suspension of payments. He added that, together with the ongoing transfer of OPEKEPE to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), the reform marks a “new start” that ensures subsidies reach honest farmers without complications.
Rural Development and Food Minister Kostas Tsiaras called the plan’s submission “a substantive step toward reforming the Agency,” reflecting the government’s determination to usher in a new era of transparency, fairness, and credibility in agricultural payments.
He stressed that the plan was submitted on schedule and forms part of a broader effort to rebuild trust among farmers and EU institutions.
Meanwhile, AADE Director Giorgos Pitsilis said the integration of OPEKEPE into AADE is progressing rapidly, with efforts focused on ensuring continued funding for legitimate recipients and developing a comprehensive digital inspection and verification system.
