Cyprus fruit and veg union comes under scrutiny

Following allegations concerning the mishandling of funds, the financial operations of the Cooperat…

Following allegations concerning the mishandling of funds, the financial
operations of the Cooperative Growers Marketing Union (SEDIGEP) has come under scrutiny.

The matter is now being looked into by the Cooperative Societies Supervision and Development Authority (CSSDA) with the union said to have sustained millions of Euro in damages.

SEDIGEP is the island’s biggest a co-operative growers’ union which was founded back in the sixties for the purpose of packing, marketing and exporting the agricultural produce of its members.

The union – or company as it likes to refer to itself – has around 550 members and is the biggest packing and exporting organisation in Cyprus handling more than 30% of the island’s total export trade in Citrus fruits and later potatoes.

An investigation, that was launched following instructions from CSSDA Deputy Commissioner Kypros Protapapas, has already led to the resignation of six of the nine SEDIGEP board members.

The alleged malpractice by SEDIGEP has also not gone unnoticed by Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides.

Some of the allegations include a conflict of interest between members while some allegations from within the union speak of board decisions that continuously favour certain companies.