Seizure of over 10 million organic rice in Lomellina
Operation by the Guardia di Finanza and ICQRF: 14 companies involved, accusations of fraud and scam for public contributions
Quick Look
- The Financial Police has seized over 10 million euros of rice sold as organic but grown with banned substances.
- The operation involves 14 companies from Lomellina, accused of fraud and swindling of public funds.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The investigation was born three years ago following reports from Federbio regarding the use of products not allowed in organic farming.
This morning the Guardia di Finanza carried out a preventive seizure of rice sold as organic (worth over 10 million euros) but which was apparently grown with prohibited substances.
The operation involved 14 companies in Lomellina, in the province of Pavia. The farmers are accused of commercial fraud and fraud to obtain public funds.
According to investigators, the system would have allowed the companies involved to obtain contributions to which they were not entitled. Inspectors from the ICQRF, a body of the Ministry of Agriculture that deals with food fraud, also intervened together with the Fiamme Gialle.
The investigation began three years ago, following reports from Federbio. The investigations revealed that the production would have been carried out using products not allowed in the organic sector.
The Financial Police also seized banned pesticides and fertilizers. The illicit behavior also emerged from telephone interceptions and laboratory tests carried out on samples of rice seedlings.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Further judicial developments on the 14 Lomellina companies
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What will the legal measures be for the owners?
- How will public funds unduly received be reimbursed?
