Greek Farmers and the OSDES Reforms

After a marathon 3.5-hour meeting at the Bodossakeio offices, Greek government officials and farmer representatives announced the removal of one of the most controversial obstacles in the OSDES declaration process. This move addresses long-standing grievances that left thousands of farmers unable to claim subsidies.

According to farmer representatives, from 2026, the “ATAK” requirement will no longer apply to independent plots under 20 acres, affecting the majority of producers and significantly easing the bureaucratic burden. Additionally, a new digital system, “Midas”, will centralize all agricultural property data, streamlining claims and enhancing transparency.

Key discussion points included the ATAK (Property ID Number) and KAEK (National Cadastre Code), with particular focus on Northern Greece, where inherited land titles often caused farmers to be excluded from cross-checks and subsidy eligibility.

On compensation for specific crops, the government confirmed support for cotton (20–30€/acre), hard wheat (~11€/acre), and alfalfa (~30M€ total), addressing losses caused by diseases like livestock-targeting foot-and-mouth.

Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras emphasized the balance between dialogue and protest:

“You cannot have both demonstrations in Athens and expect direct dialogue with the Prime Minister. The invitation for conversation is continuous.”

Representatives highlighted that the meeting marked a turning point in relations between the government and the agricultural sector, though farmers will return to their blocks to review and decide on next steps.

The OSDES reforms, combined with the “Midas” platform, aim to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, secure subsidies, and modernize Greek agriculture, providing a potential model for European-level digital agricultural administration.

Source: pagenews.gr