stock.xchng / Christophe Libert

The European Commission is to demand the return of zł.400 million in direct subsidies to the agricultural budget for 2006-2007. EU officials have decided on such a fine due to a lack of relevant maps of agricultural plots, which were to form the basis to distribute EU funds appropriately.

The Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture (ARiMR) has failed to implement the system on time. "The issue is not closed yet. We will appeal to the European Court of Justice," declared Agriculture Minister Marek Sawicki, adding that, "The fines are a loss to the budget, but will not effect farmers."

The Polish government attempted to convince EU representatives to lower the fine to zł.88 million, however the request was rejected.

Source: Rzeczpospolita