FreshPlaza has spoken to the Minister for Agricultural Policy Maurizio Martina prior to the Fruit Logistica in Berlin.
FreshPlaza (FP) - We are among the first producer countries in Europe, though we presented less applications for the EU funds made available after the Russian ban than others. Is this a bureaucracy problem? If so, how can we solve it?
Maurizio Martina (MM) - Italy used almost a quarter of Community aid for the sector - 23% of the total - between September 30 and December 31. Spain was the only one that used more, and mostly for citrus fruit. 32,972 tons of produce was withdrawn from the market (mostly apples, pears, plums and citrus fruit), which corresponded to €11.98 million of Community aid. I do feel that the new criteria for appointing funds is unacceptable.
FP - What will the Mipaaf do - together with the French and Spanish ministries - to modify them?
MM - We have already sent a note to Commissioner Hogan in which we asked to increase the ceiling assigned to Italy. I will address the matter again at the next Agricultural European Council meetings. We have been complaining to Brussels for the past few months. We took action together with France and Spain to defend the interests of our producers and have worked on a common request to amend some of the aspects of the regulation.
FP - As regards export market diversification, with which markets are we negotiating free trade agreements?
MM - The EU is working on free trade agreements with the US, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, India, Ecuador, Chile, South Africa, Moldova and Georgia. We finally reached an agreement with Japan as regards blood oranges and with the US as regards apples and pears. In addition, we also negotiated the export of kiwis to South Korea.
We are currently negotiating with India for rice, China for citrus fruit, tobacco, risotto rice, vine material and wheat, Turkey and Kenya for ornamental plants, Mexico and South Africa for kiwis and apples, Vietnam for seeds and Canada for table grapes.
FP – There are only three months to go before EXPO 2015. How are things going?
MM - Over 20 halls are currently being finished - 3,500 people worked even during the Christmas holidays. €1 billion investments came from abroad and over 1,000 Italian companies took part.
The objective is the creation of an ideal platform to talk about food safety - how to guarantee enough healthy and safe food for a world population that will count 9 billion people in 2050.
By late February, we will already have a first version of the "Carta di Milano" (Milan Charter) - a commitment made by citizens, institutions, companies, associations and the entire international organisation system. We will work with 500 experts on four main issues: sustainable development; food culture; agriculture, food and health for a sustainable future and the future of a smart and slow city.