Aid in response to COVID-19

30.6.2022

Question for written answer  E-002355/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Olivier Chastel (Renew)

At the end of June, the environmental NGO Bloom alerted the European Public Prosecutor's Office to fraud involving COVID-19 aid amounting to almost EUR 6 million, indicating that almost 95% of the recipient Dutch fishing vessels supposed to have remained at the quay had turned off their geolocation systems and were suspected of having put out to sea to go fishing.

• 1.Has the Commission contacted the Dutch authorities on this matter? What view do they take of this matter?
• 2.Has the Commission been apprised of similar cases arising in other countries?
• 3.What measures are being taken to ensure that COVID-19 aid is being put to proper use in the fisheries sector?