“We are pleased that the Ministry has acknowledged POs and PO associations as privileged interlocutors in the institutional comparison on olive growing. But we consider it important that other subjects are also involved, starting with the millers, to continue with the oil industry and large-scale distribution. All together we must start a shared reasoning: what objectives do we want to set ourselves, which direction to follow and how to best direct resources to achieve the expected results".
Giuliano Martino, director of Italia Olivicola (in the picture), collects the stimuli of the supply chain and relaunches from Sol&Agrifood of Verona: “We are faced with important allocations for the sector that derive from several measures. But I believe that distributing contributions without identifying the objectives and the players to deal with does not take us far and vice versa risks accentuating the weaknesses of the supply chain. For Italy, biodiversity is a source of pride in all agri-food production sectors, even though these productions are not sufficient to meet domestic demand. And it's the same for oil. Therefore, the increase in olive production, in compliance with full environmental, economic and social sustainability, is certainly a path to follow, well aware, however, that we will never reach true and full self-sufficiency. Hence the need to better identify the objectives to focus on, starting with Made in Italy. Involving everyone.
For example, I have read – continues Martino – the declarations of the president of theAssociation of millers of Puglia Stefano Caroli which asks that the oil millers not stay out of the institutional table on olive growing. I agree with him. But be clear: at that table we must all work together on a better working methodology and still have the aim of proposing a single national plan addressing all measures related to olive growing. Otherwise, by distributing resources left and right so as not to displease anyone, we will not solve any problems”.
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