Italian agriculture ministers meet to address Xylella and olive oil crisis

Italian regional agriculture ministers from Basilicata, Puglia, Campania, Sicily, and Calabria met with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests in Rome to address the olive oil crisis and the spread of the Xylella bacterium.

Key discussions focused on a strategy of monitoring, prevention, and containment to protect biodiversity and the economic stability of southern Italian territories. The meeting addressed the arrival of the multiplex variant of Xylella in Basilicata, with Puglia offering technical support to assist in the containment efforts.

Proposed measures include extraordinary economic support for agricultural companies, such as liquidity assistance, mortgage relief, and potential funding for indigent farmers. Other topics included strengthening supply chain controls, managing private storage, and reviewing imports from non-EU countries to prevent unfair competition. A formal meeting with the Agricultural Policy Commission is expected in Bari on September 22.