Over 4,200 farmers, who used to own 136,000 cows, received 34million euros in EU subsidies via the Romanian state, although theyhad sold their livestock. The money hemorrhage was stopped lastweek by Finance Minister Sebastian Vladescu, who requested anothermethod for granting the money, after all of the AgricultureMinistry officials asked by ZF why they were squandering this moneysaid "this was the agreement negotiated with Brussels."
This makes up around 10% of the overall amounts the EuropeanUnion has made available for cattle farmers with more than threecows, who received 125 euros (500 RON) per year per livestockhead.
Citing the agreement negotiated with Brussels, which led tosubsidies being granted per livestock head based on statements madeby farmers in January 2008, the authorities wasted around 17million euros per year on cows declared two years ago, which nolonger feature in the farmers' activities.
Asked by ZF almost half a year ago why this waste was occurring,Agriculture Minister Mihail Dumitru said, "It is not right to getmoney for cows you have sold, but things will not change foranother three years, because this is the agreement with Brussels."
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