Further searches have been carried out in Romania as part of an investigation into a suspected €1.32 million agricultural subsidy fraud in the beekeeping sector.

In an investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Timisoara, 49 searches were carried out last week across nine counties in Romania.

This follows some 307 searches conducted in 15 counties over a two-month period in 2025.

The EPPO investigation centres on 388 applications for financial support submitted to the Romanian Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA) for the 2023 and 2024 agricultural campaigns.

The subsidies, financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and the national budget, each covering 50% of the amount granted.

The funds were intended to support beekeeping activities.

Beekeeping

According to the investigation, the applications were submitted on behalf of multiple beneficiaries by the same individual.

The EPPO said it is suspected that the beneficiaries did not actually own the bee colonies, beekeeping equipment or treatment products declared in the supporting documentation.

Prosecutors believe that false or misleading documents may have been used to obtain EU and national funds unlawfully, with the estimated damage amounting to around €1.32 million.

The recent searches targeted suppliers of queen bees and bee colonies and were carried out at homes, business premises and apiaries.

Investigators sought to verify the existence of the declared equipment and livestock, as well as to collect relevant documentation.

EPPO

The EPPO noted that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Romanian courts of law.

The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union.

It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.