How Greek farmers milked EU funds from imaginary cows

A POLITICO analysis of Greek government data has uncovered significant discrepancies between the number of farm animals claimed for EU subsidies and the actual livestock numbers recorded by official sources. According to the ministry of agriculture, Greek farmers received EU subsidies for approximately 260,000 lactating cows in 2024. However, the national cattle herd, according to the statistics agency ELSTAT, had been declining from 640,000 in 2023 to 600,000 in 2024, and further to 520,000 in 2025.

Experts suggest that the discrepancy could be even larger, as some animals slaughtered for meat also receive subsidies, a process that lacks comprehensive monitoring. Nikos Dimopoulos, chair of the Kavala Livestock Farmers' Association, expressed concerns over the lack of oversight and the absence of accurate data. He stated that there is no precise figure, as the authorities only conduct sporadic checks or investigate upon receiving complaints.

The issue extends beyond cattle, with similar discrepancies found in sheep and goat records. ELSTAT reported a population of around 8.8 million such animals in 2025, while the government's Integrated Veterinary Information System listed about 15.7 million. Agriculture ministry officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that they rely on data supplied by municipalities, rather than maintaining a secure and reliable registry of livestock numbers.

The lack of a comprehensive nationwide livestock census has been identified as a critical issue. Without such a census, it is challenging to obtain a clear picture of the actual livestock population, making it difficult for the government to effectively monitor and control the subsidies paid to farmers.