Italy fishing sector faces fuel crisis despite tax credit approvals

The Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (Masaf) has approved 1,937 applications for a tax credit intended to offset the costs of gasoline and diesel for fishing enterprises. This measure, part of a 10 million euro fund, provides a 20% credit on fuel expenses. The approved applications represent a total credit of approximately 6.99 million euros.

Despite these measures, the fishing sector is facing a severe crisis due to rising fuel costs, with diesel prices reaching 1.60 euros per liter in several Italian ports. Federpesca has called for an urgent crisis meeting with the Ministry to address the situation. The federation warned that the delay between the need for immediate operational funds and the arrival of government aid is causing alarming levels of debt among companies, some of which have already ceased operations.