The IAID plays a three fold role with respect to Agricultural Funds:

• Certification Body;
• Special Department Body responsible for carrying out detailed scrutinies on selected undertakings;
• Accreditation Body

Agricultural Funds from the European Union are managed by the Paying Agency MRAE.

I. Certification Body

The IAID as the Certifying Body with respect to EAGF funds, is bound by Article 5 Commission Regulation (EC) No 885/2006 and Article 7 Council Regulation 1290/2005 to carry out an audit and express an opinion as to whether the accounts to be presented to the Commission for the Clearance of Accounts give a true, complete and accurate view, and that the internal control systems have operated satisfactorily throughout the certified period. The EAGF financial year initiates on the 16th October and ends on 15th October. The Certification Audit has to be presented to the Commission by the 1st February of each financial year.

II. Scrutiny of transactions forming part of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund – Guarantee Section

The IAID is also the designated body responsible for conducting the scrutiny of transactions forming part of the system of financing by the Guarantee Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and in this regard it is the designated ‘Special Body’ in terms of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4045/89. Various responsibilities emerge from this law:

• Risk Assessment – Deadline 1st December of each year;
• Scrutiny Program – Deadline 15th April of each year;
• Scrutiny period – between 1st July till 30th June;
• Scrutiny Report – Major findings to be included in the annual report by 31st December of each year.

III. Accreditation of the Paying Agency – Commission Regulation (EC) No 885/2006

The Competent Authority within the MRRA engages IAID as an independent body having the necessary technical expertise in order to act as the Accreditation Body. In this regard, on the basis of the IAID’s opinion, the Competent Authority decides whether to accredit the Paying Agency. The audit is based on the following key criteria:

• The authorization and execution of payments;
• The safeguarding of the community budget;
• The security of the information systems;
• The maintenance of the accounting records; and
• The division of duties and the adequacy and external controls.