The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, in agreement with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, has defined the criteria and methods of implementing the support measures for agricultural businesses damaged by the spread of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. With an allocation of 30 million, the intervention aims to support the reconversion and replanting of crops in the affected areas.
“Our commitment – commented Minister Francesco Lollobrigida – it is clear: to give back to the producers of Puglia the tools to return to working the land and protect the olive heritage, a symbol of our tradition and of Italian quality. Since day one, the Meloni government has worked to bring agriculture back to the center of national priorities, supporting with concrete interventions those who dedicate themselves to the land every day. We have done a lot, we will do even more”.
The decree, as foreseen in the Agriculture Decree, allocates aid for the restoration of production potential through the replanting of resistant olive trees or the reconversion to other permitted crops. Puglia Region will be the body responsible for implementing the measure, making use of the Agency for Agricultural Grants (AGEA) for the disbursement of funds.
Details of the support plan
– The initiative is intended for agricultural companies located in infected areas, with the exception of areas subject to containment measures provided for by EU Regulation 2020/1201.
– Aid will be granted for replanting with resistant cultivars or for conversion to alternative crops identified by the National Phytosanitary Committee.
– The contribution will cover 100% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of 15.000 euros per hectare.
– Owners, holders or possessors of olive groves, both individually and in association, will be able to access the financing.
– Interested companies will be able to submit an application according to the terms and conditions established by the Puglia Region, which will also define the selection criteria for the allocation of resources.
“With this intervention – we read in a note from the Ministry – the commitment to recovering the production potential in the areas affected by Xylella fastidiosa is confirmed, supporting farmers in relaunching their activities and in protecting the national olive heritage”.
The reactions
Confagricoltura welcomed this intervention, but stressed the need for an immediate discussion between institutions, trade associations and farmers to ensure that these resources are used in the most effective way possible.
“Xylella has devastated our olive heritage and compromised a sector that is fundamental to the Apulian economy. However, we can no longer afford delays or partial solutions. It is essential to sit down immediately around a table and define a clear plan, with rapid procedures and concrete objectives” highlights Luca Lazzàro, president of Confagricoltura Puglia. “Farmers have waited too long, now a strong commitment is needed to restart olive growing, with resistant varieties, innovation and adequate market strategies.”
