Coldiretti defends Italian livestock against rising costs and synthetic food

At the 98th Italian Zootechnical Agricultural Fair in Montichiari, Coldiretti and Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida addressed critical challenges facing the Italian livestock sector. The industry, valued at 55 billion euros and employing approximately 800,000 people, is currently under pressure from high fuel costs, energy price spikes, and transport disruptions that threaten milk collection and feed deliveries.

Discussions also focused on defending traditional livestock against the rise of synthetic food produced by multinational corporations. To support the sector, the ColtivaItalia law has allocated 300 million euros for investments to increase national beef production, specifically targeting the cow-calf line with staggered funding through 2029. The initiative aims to strengthen national production capacity and encourage generational turnover within the industry.