Press Release: Commission to recover EUR 285.3 million of CAP expenditure from the Member States

A total of € 285.3 million of EU farm payments unduly spent by Member States will be claimed back as a result of a decision adopted on 19 April 2007 by the European Commission. The money returns to the Community budget because of inadequate control procedures or non-compliance with EU rules on agricultural expenditure. Member States are responsible for paying out and checking expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the Commission is required to ensure that Member States have made correct use of the funds.