A total of EUR 528.5 million of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States will be claimed back as a result of a decision adopted by the European Commission.

The money returns to the Community budget because of inadequate control procedures or non-compliance with EU rules on agricultural expenditure, the EC said.

"We are working extremely hard to maintain the best possible control over farm spending," said Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, commenting on the decision.

"The Court of Auditors has noted considerable improvements in our control system over recent years and we are striving to make things better still. This is taxpayers' money and they have a right to know it is being spent wisely," the commissioner added.

Under the decision funds will be recovered from Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden.

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