Politico: Greek farmers accused of ‘milking’ EU funds with nonexistent cows
A Politico report has highlighted major discrepancies between official livestock figures in Greece and the number of animals reported for European Union subsidy payments, raising fresh questions over the country's agricultural subsidy scandal.
According to Greek media reports, Politico has published a new investigation into the agricultural subsidy scandal in Greece, alleging that some livestock farmers may have reported tens of thousands more animals than they actually owned in 2024 in order to receive European Union support.
Politico's analysis, based on a comparison of data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) and subsidy records held by Greece's Ministry of Rural Development and Food, found a striking discrepancy: while the country's actual livestock population was declining, the number of animals used as the basis for subsidy payments increased.
According to the report, Greek authorities paid European subsidies for approximately 260,000 dairy cows in 2024. During the same period, around 70,000 cattle were reportedly sent for slaughter.
ELSTAT data, meanwhile, indicate that Greece's total cattle population fell from approximately 640,000 in 2023 to 600,000 in 2024, before declining further to around 520,000 in 2025.
A similar discrepancy reportedly exists among sheep and goats.
ELSTAT recorded approximately 8.8 million sheep and goats in Greece in 2025, while the government's veterinary information system reportedly contained records for approximately 15.7 million animals.
The gap between the figures has raised concerns over whether livestock numbers were artificially inflated in applications for EU agricultural subsidies.
European Public Prosecutor's Office in focus
Politico reported that complaints have been submitted to the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) over discrepancies between livestock numbers and subsidy records.
EPPO did not confirm that it was specifically investigating the discrepancy described in the report. However, the European prosecution authority said it has examined numerous cases involving agricultural subsidies in Greece.
Politico also reported that EPPO previously took action against 22 suspects as part of its investigation into agricultural subsidy fraud in Greece. Four of those individuals are reportedly members of the ruling New Democracy party.
The politicians involved have denied the allegations against them.
The reported discrepancies have added further scrutiny to Greece's management of EU agricultural funds and could intensify pressure on authorities to improve the accuracy and oversight of livestock registration and subsidy systems.
