Italian agriculture leader calls for swift implementation of Coltivaitalia

Gennaro Sicolo, president of CIA Puglia and Italia Olivicola, has expressed support for the Italian government's 'Coltivaitalia' bill, which includes one billion euros in investments to revitalize the national agri-food system. The measures aim to support cooperatives, enhance oil and cereal production, and combat fraud and unfair competition.

Despite the positive measures, Sicolo has called for immediate action in three specific areas: the final approval of Coltivaitalia, the prompt commencement of procedures to utilize the allocated resources, and the expedited appointment of an extraordinary commissioner to address the Xylella bacteria threat, noting that the issue has spread beyond Salento to other regions.

Sicolo also highlighted ongoing crises in the olive, grain, and wine sectors, specifically noting a wine crisis in Puglia involving approximately 5 million hectoliters in storage.