EU wants euro 3 million returned after allegations of corruption

European Union (EU) representatives said on Friday that Poland must return nearly euro 3 million in aid, which the EU says was inappropriately used in a project that has since become mired in corruption allegations. The European Commission has asked Poland to return cash that it paid for a pilot scheme to set up IACS, a computerized database of livestock and farm holdings which would be used to monitor and distribute rural aid to Polish farmers. Hewlett-Packard had won the $148 million tender to set up IACS. "When there is irregularity it is necessary to make recoveries," EU Budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyer said at a news conference in Warsaw. Schreyer said the European parliament wanted to see proof that its funds were used in line with its recommendations. "There must be a guarantee that not only preaccession aid but also larger funds coming after accession will be implemented correctly," he said. (Reuters) A.K.