Source: European Parliament
1. The Commission has not been made aware of any allegations concerning the improper use of EU funds by the Danish Fishers Producer Organisation.
2. In accordance with the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR)[1] for the 2021-2027 period, the financial assistance under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) is managed under shared management with the Member States in accordance with Article 63 of the Financial Regulation[2]. Chapter 2 of Title VI of the CPR requires the managing authority for the fund in the Member State to establish a management and control system (MCS) that ensures compliance with the applicable EU and national legislation and administrative rules. The audit authority of the Member State is responsible for carrying out system audits, audits on operations and audits of accounts to provide independent assurance to the Commission regarding the effective functioning of MCS and the legality and regularity of the expenditure included in the accounts submitted to the Commission. Based on the available reporting by the Danish authorities and its own monitoring and audits, the Commission has no information suggesting that the Danish MCS would be insufficient to ensure that the funds are being used in accordance with the aims of the Danish EMFAF programme or not complying with the EMFAF Regulation[3].
3. Considering the above, the Commission invites the Honourable Member to raise any specific concerns or a complaint regarding the use of EMFAF funds directly with the Danish authorities. Should this not be sufficient to address the issues of concern, any stakeholder may submit a formal complaint to the Commission services or report any presumed irregularity or fraud to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).