The European Commission is claiming a total of €414 million of EU agricultural policy funds unduly spent by Member States. Under this latest decision, funds will be recovered from 22 member states. Because some of these amounts have already been recovered from the Member States the net financial impact of this decision will be some €393 million.

The European Commission, under the so-called clearance of accounts procedure, is claiming to 22 member states a total of €414 million of EU agricultural policy funds unduly spent. Formally speaking, because some of these amounts have already been recovered from the Member States the net financial impact of this decision will be some €393 million. In September 2012, €215 million of CAP expenditure were claimed to member states.

The Commission is required to ensure that Member States have made correct use of the funds, and member states are responsible for paying out and checking expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Under this latest decision, funds will be recovered from 22 Member States: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Over 100 audits are carried out every year by the Commission, verifying that Member State controls and responses to shortcomings are sufficient. This European Institution has the power to claw back funds in arrears if audits show that Member State management and control is not good enough to guarantee that EU funds have been spent properly.