Spanish fleet accused of law-breaking lands massive EU subsidies

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http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spanish-fleet-accused-of-lawbreaking-lands-massive-eu-subsidies-2364366.html

Spanish fishermen suspected of landing illegal catches are receiving multimillion-euro payouts from European Union taxpayers, according to a Greenpeace report published today.

In one case alone, European Commission (EC) officials are investigating subsidy payments to a group of companies affiliated to the Vidal family, from Galicia, which are thought to have received more than €15m in subsidies between 2002 and 2009, part of which come from the European Fisheries Fund (EEF), to which the UK contributes.

Companies connected to the family continue to receive subsidies despite alleged links to repeated incidents of illegal fishing. The report says at least seven of the vessels have been convicted for offences, including fishing without a licence, falsifying information and obstructing inspections.

The commission is also looking at how more than €€6m of subsidies given to Biomega Nutrición, a fish-oil factory, was used. The company, which has yet to open its factory, was originally registered to Manuel Antonio Vidal Pego, believed to be the head of the family, but has since changed its records. A factory spokesman denied any involvement with Vidal Pego when questioned by The Independent on Sunday.