A farmer in Latvia has been indicted by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Riga for suspected agricultural subsidy fraud involving robotic milking equipment.
The farmer is suspected of fraudulently obtaining €122,725 in EU funding for the purchase and installation of robotic milking equipment under an agricultural investment project financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
According to the EPPO, the suspect applied for reimbursement from the Latvian rural support service in 2024, claiming public funding for robotic milking equipment allegedly purchased and installed under the project.
However, the investigation established that the equipment had not been properly installed, was not operational and had never been used for the intended farming activities.
Fabricated video
Additionally, the suspect allegedly submitted a fabricated video intended to create the false impression that the equipment was fully installed and operational to support the claim.
The suspect also misled inspectors by falsely claiming that the equipment had recently been disconnected due to adverse weather conditions, during an on-site inspection.
The suspect has been charged with aggravated fraud and with submitting false information and documents in a procedure related to EU funding and the EPPO has filed an indictment before the competent national court.
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