Agreement on the management of European funding between the Valencian regional government (Spain) and FEDAVER
6.6.2013
Question for written answer E-006460-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Vicente Miguel Garcés Ramón (S&D)
It has recently been media reports in the Valencian Community (Spain) that the Valencian regional government mismanaged EUR 128 million in rural development funding during the 2008-2013 period. The Valencian tax authorities have investigated the situation to establish whether a crime was committed in the management of these public funds.
It so happens that in 2010 the Valencian government’s department of agriculture signed a collaboration agreement with a private body, FEDAVER, giving it partial or total control of aid management by making it responsible for processing the relevant administrative forms. According to news reports, a clause was included specifically stating that the agreement should not be forwarded to the EU, which is the main source of the aid in question. FEDAVER was also remunerated for processing the forms, which according to the tax authorities were full of irregularities or destined for purposes prohibited under EC law.
This information raises the following questions:
- 1.Is the Commission aware of the actions taken by the Valencian tax authorities in relation to the agreement between the regional government and FEDAVER?
- 2.Does the Commission know whether there were irregularities and inefficiency in the handling and use of EUR 128 million in funding for Valencian rural development during the 2008-2013 period?
- 3.Has the Commission taken any action vis-à-vis the Valencian regional government in relation to the handling of rural development funds granted to the latter?
- 4.What is the annual breakdown of aid from the European rural development, regional development and social cohesion funds granted by the EU to the Valencian government between 2007 and 2013?
- 5.Is the Commission aware of any irregularities on the part of the Valencian regional government in relation to the management and use of the abovementioned funds?
OJ C 46 E, 18/02/2014