Lithuanian Agriculture Ministry Reviews Processes, Environment Ministry Sees No Need for New Audits

The Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture is undertaking a significant internal review of its operations, aiming to streamline processes and alleviate the bureaucratic load on farmers and civil servants. This initiative includes merging inspection protocols between the National Paying Agency and the State Food and Veterinary Service, allowing for joint visits to farms instead of separate ones. A comprehensive action plan, detailing auditing guidelines and incorporating anti-corruption evaluations, is slated for release in September.

This internal audit follows earlier discussions about potential audits. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius had previously suggested that new ministry heads could conduct audits as they saw fit. New Agriculture Minister Kęstutis Mažeika had also confirmed plans for an audit and anti-corruption assessment, even if two former ministers, Ignas Hofmanas and Andrius Palionis, had not joined his team as initially proposed. The need for an audit was also noted by the Minister of Environment, Ieva Andriulaitytė, according to the president's chief advisor.

However, the Ministry of Environment has stated that it does not foresee an objective need for additional audits within its own structure or subordinate institutions at this time. It maintains that current operations are evaluated according to existing legal and internal control requirements. The ministry indicated that further audits would only be considered if a justified need arises or if risks are identified.

Meanwhile, audits are underway in two institutions subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture: the Plant Production Department and the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT). The audit of the Plant Production Department, part of the annual plan, aims to assess anti-corruption measures and progress in fostering a corruption-resistant environment, with completion expected by the end of September. An ongoing audit of the VMVT, which had faced delays in report submission, is nearing its final stages after the company providing auditing services submitted its draft report. The cabinet had previously extended the deadline for the VMVT audit.