(Finance) – Green light from the Council of Ministers to the so-called Agriculture bill, containing urgent provisions for agricultural, fishing and aquaculture businesses, as well as for businesses of national strategic interest. The Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigidaillustrated the main measures at a press conference.
“We report a great harmony of Government actionwhich sees several ministries involved in this decree, including that of Agriculture and that of the Environment”, declared Lollobrigida, denying the rumors of tensions with the Minister of the Environment Pichetto and speaking of an “important” decree, which ” sees responses arriving to various emergencies that have emerged over time”.
“In the last months we have brought this sector back to the center of European politics. – the owner reminded Agriculture – Last 21-22 March, agriculture once again became a founding issue for the EU, to guarantee food safety and the environment”.
Among the measures included in the legislative decree, resources a support for agricultural businesses operating in the wheat supply chain (20 million) and in support of those of the fisheries affected by the spread of the blue crab (12 million). “The decree wants to avoid desertification, to help the agricultural world, affected by various external and internal events”, explained Lollobrigida.
Also expected suspension of mortgage payments for businesses in difficultythat we have seen a reduction in turnover of at least 20%, relief for businesses that have suffered repercussions from the floods, compensation to kiwi producers and the allocation of another 10 million for compensation against damage from downy mildew..
Among the measures there are also some one (in Article 6) which caused a series of controversieswhich provides the stop photovoltaics on agricultural land (agrivoltaic), putting at risk, according to many, the achievement of the European targets for renewables (50 GW by 2030). The rule, aimed atincrease in agricultural productionagainst the increase in imports, prohibits the installation of photovoltaic modules on agricultural land, unless they allow agricultural activity to be carried out in the underlying area.
“The areas classified as agricultural by the current urban planning plans – we read in the draft – are areas not suitable for the installation of photovoltaic systems with modules placed on the ground referred to in article 6-bis, letter b) of the legislative decree of 3 March 2011, n. 28. The authorization procedures in progress on the date of entry into force of this decree are concluded in accordance with the previous legislation”.
Among the regulations, the Agriculture decree also includes a strengthening of sanctions against unfair practices and a strengthening the role of the Carabinieriwhile as regards the hunting guards the possibility of expanding the role of hunting guard to hunting associations legitimized to carry out hunting surveillance is envisaged.