Italian prosecutors seize 14.5 hectares of Chinese‑run farms in Prato over labor and safety violations

The Prosecutor’s Office in Prato, Italy, carried out a large‑scale operation that resulted in the seizure of three agricultural sites covering about 145,000 square metres (approximately 14.5 ha). Investigators found evidence of illegal labor practices, including workers employed without contracts and without residence permits, as well as severe hygiene and safety deficiencies in the farms’ facilities. The inspections also uncovered improper waste disposal, including non‑hazardous plastic, wood and metal waste, and the use of non‑biodegradable shopping bags. Authorities identified multiple offences: illegal labor intermediation and exploitation, employment of undocumented workers, commercial fraud, and abandonment of waste. The operation, which involved drones and extensive monitoring, marks a decisive step against illicit agricultural activities that had been alleged for years.