Rome, 25 May 2022
The delegation of six MEPs will look into alleged breaches of labour standards and the mafia’s involvement in disbursing the EU’s agricultural subsidies, and will check what the state authorities are doing to investigate and prevent this.
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“There are worrying reports that some people who have been receiving EU agricultural funds have infringed labour standards. We also hear of alleged interference by the mafia into the way EU funds are managed in Italy. During our visit, we want to look into the state systems that are in place to prevent fraud and fight financial and economic crimes. These efforts are now more important than ever – with the disbursement of NextGeneration EU in sight, the EU budget is increasingly more vulnerable”, said Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE) , who leads the delegation.
Planned visits
MEPs will meet representatives of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and the state agricultural paying agency, the Ministry of Economy and the Inspectorate General for Financial Relations with the EU. They will also meet with the authorities responsible for financial control, the Guardia di Finanza and Arma dei Carabinieri as well as the Parliamentary Antimafia Commission, together with representatives of the Antimafia Prosecutor’s Office and the Delegated European Prosecutor.
A press conference will take place on Friday 27 May at 12:15 at the premises of the EP’s Liaison office in Rome in via IV Novembre 149.
Delegation members
Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, Germany) – Head of delegation
Isabel García Muñoz (S&D, Spain)
Matteo Adinolfi (ID, Italy)
Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, Czechia)
Caterina Chinnici (S&D, Italy)
Sabrina Pignedoli (NI, Italy)