Communist Party raises concerns over support program for young farmers in Meriç
Lawmakers from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) have submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister of Rural Development and Food, warning that young farmers in the Meriç regional unit risk being removed from a government support program due to what they describe as administrative delays and retroactive requirements.
The parliamentary question, submitted by KKE MPs Giannis Delis and Leonidas Stoltidis, concerns beneficiaries of the 2021 Young Farmers Program (Sub-measure 6.1), many of whom were affected by the devastating wildfires that struck the region.
According to the lawmakers, the government's electronic application system for the program's second payment opened nearly a year later than expected, delaying the verification process. They argue that, as a result, authorities are now assessing farmers based on their 2025 tax records rather than the original implementation schedule.
The MPs claim that a new ministerial circular retroactively requires beneficiaries to demonstrate sales equivalent to 60% of their standard production value for 2025, despite previous exemptions granted because of force majeure following the wildfires.
KKE warned that the requirement could lead to beneficiaries being excluded from the program and forced to repay the first installment of financial assistance, including interest.
The lawmakers called on the government to withdraw the retroactive requirement, complete the pending administrative checks without further delays and ensure that eligible farmers receive the program's second payment as scheduled.
