Press Release: Commission to recover EUR 143.18 million of CAP expenditure from the Member States

A total of €143.18 million of European Union farm money misspent by Member States is to be claimed back, following a decision adopted on 4 February 2004 by the European Commission. The money is to be recovered because of inadequate control procedures or non-compliance with EU rules on agricultural expenditure. While Member States are responsible for paying out and checking virtually all expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Commission is required to ensure that Member States have made correct use of the funds.