Salvatore De Meo A social and sustainable competitive agricolture

A SOCIAL AND SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE AGRICULTURE

Interview with MEP Salvatore De Meo

Salvatore De Meo is a member of the Commission for Agriculture and Rural Development, former mayor of Fondi (province of Latina), who has always put agriculture at the center of its political activity.

The Farm to Fork strategy is at the heart of the Green Deal, with the aim of making food systems fair, healthy and eco-friendly. How is the environmental interference in the future CAP interpreted in terms of development and driving force within the agri-food sector?

I am convinced that, over the next few years, the new CAP will represent for the agricultural sector a significant incentive for further investments in order to achieve ambitious goals and confirm its resilience and strategic importance for our economy. It is clear that the farms will have to be gradually introduced to new technologies, research, training, as well as to the use of spatial data to improve productivity and quality, both from an environmental and food safety point of view. The “Farm to Fork” strategy aims to make food systems fair, healthy and eco-friendly. I believe, however, that the green transition and the ambitious targets, contained in the recent climate law, should not become an exaggerated and penalizing burden for citizens and companies; especially considering that many non-EU countries continue to produce without respecting our regulations, thus competing unfairly. There is need for a more environmentally sustainable economy, but also a social and economic one in which farmers, within an appropriate timeframe, can and must become leading players in the fight against climate change. As Italians, we should be proud of the results already achieved by our companies both for the significant reduction in the use of pesticides and for being among the first with the largest number of areas with organic production. We can certainly do even better and the new CAP represents, for Italy, over 50 billion until 2027; these are important resources with which our companies will be able to strengthen and further defend the Made in Italy agri-food system.

You are representing significant regions such as those of central Italy. Do you think a European policy can be based and sustain itself only on production and quantity? We talk about identity, regions, biodiversity; how are these issues defined? How can all regions have a close connection with Europe for the promotion of agriculture and the requalification of our peculiarities?

The regions that I represent are among the most productive

in Italy and they have significant economic potential. Nowadays, the agricultural sector has social and economic functions that go well beyond primary production; it promotes through differents actions the protection of the environment and the territory, it preserves biodiversity and optimizes the use of natural resources; it contributes to the survival and enhancement of rural areas and ensures food security. Furthermore, the agricultural sector boosts industrial processes, the development of services and the promotion of tourism and accomodation facilities. Each region has an identity consisting of a combination of physical, natural and cultural features that must be preserved and described. Since biodiversity also characterizes the identity of a region, Europe, within the CAP, has identified a specific strategy that takes into account the strong link between the agricultural sector and the biodiversity of a region. We must keep in mind that the CAP is one of the most important European policies that uses about a third of the European budget to support millions of farmers. It is probably one of the policies that, despite many difficulties, has most encouraged the process of European integration; that is why it will remain a concrete tool to connect Europe with its regions, making citizens more conscious of the multiple opportunities represented by Europe.

Would it be feasible to build a dimension of constant dialogue between the regions and Europe, giving the

private sector a new role and a direct connection? Would it be possible to conceive of setting up an experimental working group whose interlocutors are farmers, representatives and institutions?

Unfortunately, we must acknowledge that often there has been a lack of connection between Europe and the regions, firstly due to a technocratic Europe and secondly due to a negative image that the regions have given. They have often highlighted only the critical aspects of a project that, instead, has demonstrated, especially during the Covid emergency, to be necessary and indispensable to tackle difficulties and challenges both present and future. I have often reiterated how the Old Continent is perceived as a reality far from the citizens and their needs, but this is definitely not the case. Covid was able to bring out the true spirit of the European Union despite marking the most critical period worldwide. Through the Next Generation EU, the European Union responded in an effective, reactive and resilient way to the crisis, showing to all Member States, but especially to citizens and businesses, the full strength of this Europe, characterised by cohesion and unity of purpose for the future. Europe can become truly strong if its citizens are involved and conscious of being part of a community that goes beyond their own national region. This is the direction which the Conference on the Future of Europe has taken, offering European citizens a unique opportunity to reflect on the challenges and priorities of countries. This tool can be used by anyone, regardless of their origin or occupation, to discuss the future of the European Union, which coincides with their future. I support the idea of a metting table with the entire business world so that national and local institutions, along with trade associations and social partners, can encourage a process of mutual listening to their needs and expectations and share measures and initiatives to support and revitalize our economy. As a Member of Parliament, I have always been a very careful listener to the needs and requirements of farmers, especially in my district. I provided them with a digital platform (www.insiemeineuropa.it) where they could get free information on the various funding opportunities and I visited each company in order to personally understand the dynamics and related problems of their businesses. Every company, especially family-run ones, has an important history that must be cherished and respected since it represents not only the story of a region, but also of our entire country.

Focus edited by the editorial staff

What the European Commission is doing in the area of agriculture, rural development and common agricultural policy

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) plays a key role in the development of the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP), as well as policies in the areas of animal health and welfare, plant health, product quality, and Union agricultural, silviculture and agro-forestry activities among EU. Most of these works are carried out by preparing reports on legislative proposals, which fall under the codecision procedure between the Parliament and the Council, for adoption by the Plenary Assembly. In addition to carrying out its legislative activity, our commission also follows up the implementation of the legislation adopted. For this purpose, it acts in

close cooperation with the Commission, the Council, other EU institutions and stakeholders. 48 full members and 48 alternate members, all deeply invested in their work, ensure that the commission delivers high-quality results quickly.

Goals

• Helping farmers to produce sufficient quantities of safe food, obtained in compliance with EU rules on sustainability, environmental standards, animal welfare, traceability, etc; • Providing support systems to the farms, to help stabilize incomes in the face of production conditions which are less predictable; • Incentivizing investments in a sustainable and modern agricultural sector; • Supporting vital rural communities with a diversified economy; • Creating and sustaining jobs throughout the food chain. Who are the Italian parliamentarians who are part of it:

1. Mara BIZZOTTO Identity and Democracy Group (Lega Nord) 2. Angelo CIOCCA Identity and Democracy Group (Lega Nord) 3. Salvatore DE MEO Group of the European People’s

Party (Democratici Cristiani) - (Forza Italia) 4. Paolo DE CASTRO Group of the Progressive

Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (Partito

Democartico) 5. Herbert DORFMANN Group of the European

People’s Party (Democratici cristiani) – (Südtiroler

Volkspartei) 6. Dino GIARRUSSO – (Movimento 5 Stelle) 7. Pina PICIERNO Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (Partito Democratico) 8. Giuseppe FERRANDINO Group of the Progressive

Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (Partito

Democratico) – substitute member 9. Elena LIZZI Identity and Democracy Group (Lega

Nord) – substitute member 10. Nicola PROCACCINI Group of the European

Conservatives and Reformists (Fratelli d’Italia) –substitute member 11. Daniela RONDINELLI – (Movimento 5 Stelle) - substitute member 12. Massimiliano SMERIGLIO - Group of the

Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (Democratic Party) – substitute member

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/it/agri/about E-mail : agri-secretariat@ep.europa.eu