The Italian and global olive oil world is awaiting two intense days of reflection and propositions in Siena with Italy Olive growing protagonist, on May 28th during the States General of oil convened by the undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Forestry Sovereignty, Patrick Giacomo La Pietra, and on May 29th during the Consultative Committee of the International Olive Council, with Gennaro Sicolo, president of Italia Olivicola, in the role of vice president of the international assembly.
"In both cases these are important events for Italian olive growing – says Gennaro Sicolo – with discussions that will outline the future national olive growing plan, for which an important discussion was opened with Undersecretary La Pietra, whom I thank. But Italy is not alone and we must understand how to face the challenges of climate and market change in the Mediterranean and around the world. The discussions at the International Olive Council finally see us as protagonists".
The epidemic of Xylella fastidiosa, which has slowed down its progress, represents a danger not only for Italy but for all producing countries. THE climate changes require a change of pace in agronomic and water resource management if production is to be stabilized avoiding production and price crises, like those of the last two years. Then there are also highly topical issues that must be addressed at an international level, to find shared solutions. The problem of quantity of total sterols for some Italian monovarietal oils, such as Coratina and Nocellara del Belice, is accompanied by the new proposed regulation on MOSH/MOAH contaminants which is very dear to olive-growing Spain.
“It is important to always keep in mind that there may be competing interests – concludes Sicolo – but that there are absolute values: respect for the consumer and his right to consume quality extra virgin olive oil and the right of the olive growers, but I would say of the entire supply chain, to have their role recognized also through fair remuneration" .
