The new application has already been presented internally – Resistance from known quarters and hollow posturing by Agricultural Support Centers.
The noose is tightening around the fraudulent networks that have systematically plundered agricultural subsidies. According to sources, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) is already developing its own Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS-OSDE) submission software, while simultaneously introducing joint liability for Agricultural Support Centers (KYD) regarding the submission of farmers' declarations.
New IACS system by AADE
According to the same sources, the new system has already been presented internally within AADE. However, it is facing resistance from the entrenched OPEKEPE establishment, which has embedded itself within the Independent Authority through the well-known method of technical objections. Essentially, this is a repeating chapter of past events when the former Minister, Mr. Georgantas, attempted to migrate IACS declarations to the gov.gr platform. This time, however, AADE management appears to have fully grasped the situation—albeit with some delay—and has taken appropriate countermeasures, deploying both the technical expertise and the necessary IT personnel to successfully execute the project.
The end of Neuropublic and Cogniterra
As expected, the creation of a proprietary IACS platform effectively sidelines OPEKEPE’s perennial tech vendors, Neuropublic and Cogniterra, the latter of which holds a smaller market share. This shift represents a deliberate political and operational decision aimed at completely eliminating, or at least drastically reducing, systemic security loopholes. It is worth noting that the IACS contractors failed once again this year to deliver the declaration modules on time—a systematic occurrence in recent years. AADE is refusing to risk being held hostage in the coming months, which is why it engineered its own application. Furthermore, the ultimate goal is to introduce pre-filled declarations, mirroring the current model used for standard tax returns.
Wasted money
After all, a significant percentage of farmers, such as those managing tree crops, experience no operational changes from year to year. These producers were essentially paying wasted money to the KYD centers for declarations that were already saved in the system from the previous year. Pre-filled declarations will effectively reduce the workload of the KYD centers, limiting their services to producers who actually have modifications to report. Concurrently, efforts are being made to keep the application straightforward, avoiding the chaotic interfaces of previous years, so that farmers with basic digital skills can complete it independently.
Joint liability
At the same time, to ensure no loopholes remain in the system, the KYD centers will now bear joint legal liability for the accuracy of the declarations. This brings an end to the era of zero accountability, which previously enabled widespread malpractice. The prospect of joint liability has already triggered pushback, along with hollow posturing and threats from certain KYD operators claiming they will refuse to process declarations. Even if this threat materialized—which remains highly improbable for legitimate professionals who do not engage in fraud—the workload could easily be reassigned to certified accountants, or new stakeholders could be fast-tracked for certification. Beyond this, the KYD centers will lose the sweeping data access privileges that previously enabled corrupt schemes, as AADE possesses the advanced auditing expertise required to trace any fraudulent digital footprint.
Schinas sends a clear message
In any case, the landscape is shifting rapidly as the government realizes that without genuine structural cleanup, AADE will fail to secure certification, bringing severe financial consequences for funds scheduled for disbursement over the coming months. Moreover, the newly appointed Minister, Mr. Margaritis Schinas—in stark contrast to his predecessor who systematically misled the public—was clear during his broadcast on SKAI yesterday, May 20. He stated unequivocally that while the transfer of authority to AADE has been approved, the government must fully deliver on its operational promises. It is worth noting that within the GDELEP—as the former OPEKEPE has been renamed under the AADE umbrella—a pivotal role is being played by Ms. Charalampia Kaouni. According to sources who spoke to BN, she believes sweeping changes are required both in organizational culture and regarding personnel who refuse to align with legality and standard procedures. This stance signals exactly what lies ahead.
Nikos Karoutzos
nkaroutzos@gmail.com
www.bankingnews.gr
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