Rethymno: Subsidy Fraud with Non-Existent Livestock

Three livestock farmers in Rethymno have been arrested for fraud related to agricultural subsidies, as they allegedly declared thousands of non-existent livestock. The revelation came after a police check in a mountainous village in Mylopotamos.

During the count, it was found that 7,427 animals were missing from the number declared in the livestock declarations for 2025. Only 494 goats and sheep were found in the pens, and many of them did not have ear tags. The farmers claimed that the animals were grazing in mountainous areas or had been lost due to disease.

Additionally, it was found that the mandatory signs with the owners' details were missing from the pens. The detainees were released by order of the prosecutor, while the authorities are expected to inform OPEKEPE, the Directorate of Agriculture, and AADE for further investigation.