Fruit and vegetable farmers received more than 330 million euros (468 million dollars) in illegal subsidies from the French state between 1992 and 2002, according to the European Commission.

France, the biggest beneficiary of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), was rapped for granting farmers funds that were intended to help them cope with a crisis in the fruit and vegetable market.

This helped us face up to competition from Spain and Portugal,” said Lafitte, who warned the government would face a revolt if it tried to recover the funds.