Convictions for fraud involving millions of euros in agricultural subsidies in Croatia

Following an investigation conducted by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Zagreb, six individuals and one company were convicted of fraud involving subsidies and falsification of documents related to European funds for improving animal welfare in pig farming. According to the case data, between March 2018 and June 2023, the former and current chairman of the company's board, along with the chairman and a member of the supervisory board, submitted numerous applications for funding totaling over 9 million euros under the Rural Development Program of Croatia (2014–2020). Despite being aware that the company did not meet the requirements, the defendants submitted false declarations for the farms of their subcontractors. As a result, the company received over 5.4 million euros in subsidies, of which 4.7 million euros were obtained improperly. After irregularities were discovered in 2022, the Agency for Payments in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development refused to ...