European Union financial support for rural development: infringements identification problems in Lithuania

Abstract

Funds allocated in accordance with various instruments of the Lithuanian rural development programme to businesses must help to achieve agriculture policy goals. During the implementation of financial support from the European Union, beneficiaries commit infringements and, consequently, support that was given to them or a part thereof may be withdrawn. Research results show that infringement research and the assessment of documents, which influences the making of decisions on the payment of financial support, must not only be adequate, but also efficient in order to protect public and private interests. Excessively long assessment of documents and investigation of suspected infringements may cause damage to beneficiaries, particularly if the beneficiaries did not commit infringements. On the other hand, inadequate and untimely assessment of documents may cause damage to the national budget and the European Union budget when support that is paid to persons who have committed infringements is misused and the objectives of granted support are not achieved. Therefore, adequate and efficient investigation of infringements is an important part of implementing financial support from the European Union for rural development.