Providing assistance to farmers in the framework of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) of the CAP

Direct Payments to producers in the framework of the 1stPillar of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are a decisive factor for the sustainability of the primary sector. They provide a safety net for agricultural income that addresses the high risks caused by the uncertainty of climatic conditions and market instability, while at the same time offsetting the primary sector’s low incomes in comparison to other sectors of the economy.

In order to ensure the legality of the direct payments made to producers, the CAP relies on the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS), which checks the accuracy of the data provided by producers as regards their land and livestock when submitting their Single Aid Application (SAA), providing for administrative and on-site audits and imposing reductions and penalties where necessary.

‘Assisting farmers in filling out and submitting the Single Aid Application (SAA) to the IACS’, has been undoubtedly one of the most important projects carried out on an annual basis in Greece, as it enabled direct payments of 2 billion Euros per year to be made to the approximately 650,000 Greek beneficiaries, along with payments that concern 40% of the Rural Development Programme payments (2ndPillar of the CAP). Furthermore, the SAA is used by Public Administration for the implementation of a series of regulatory obligations, e.g. insuring plant and livestock production within the Hellenic Agricultural Insurance Organisation (EL.G.A.), the issuance of street market licenses, etc.

GAIA EPICHEIREIN had been certified as a Coordinating & Technical Support Body for Application Submission Centres (ASC) around the country for the 2014-2021 period, acting as the operational and technological enabler for the unhindered and successful operation of the current assistance framework for Greek producers-beneficiaries of CAP direct payments.

The project had high technical, operational, and regulatory demands, which:

• required the combined use of cutting-edge technology,
• required the existence of extensive and fully coordinated operational infrastructure at national level,
• were governed by a complicated and constantly changing regulatory framework,
• were implemented within a strict framework monitored and controlled by the European Union (EU).

Our role with regard to the national IACS during the 2014-2021 period was key, as we decisively contributed to the simplification and modernization of the application process while significantly enhancing overall efficiency to the benefit of both applicants and Public Administration.

In the context of the CAP 2023-2027, we continue to steadily work in the direction of modernizing and simplifying the application experience for the applicants by continuously investing in new technologies and providing information, assistance and digital tools made available to them through our private network of highly-skilled local collaborators (agri-cooperatives and private extension services offices) assisting farmers all across the territory.