Italy first, Greece second. In 8 months the fires destroyed an area of 120.166 hectares, more or less the size of the city of Rome. Rural areas fundamental to the country's economy and the survival of entire communities, on which we are finally beginning to think to give them new life. The fires of recent weeks have put politics before ancient responsibilities. Draghi intervened to ensure support and aid to the hundreds of affected companies, particularly in Calabria, also devastated by family mourning. But before the terrible summer, the EU had also moved towards these areas. She gave herself a year and a half to check how the areas across Europe can contribute to the transition to an integrated and digital economy. From next September we will work in each country to outline a more reassuring future. In mid-2023, the European Commission will then draw the sums of the plans and funds in favor of these historic realities.
Before the summer break, EU Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski presented to the Agriculture Commission of the European Parliament the project for the valorisation of millions of hectares of areas destined for pastures, agriculture, crops of controlled origin. Indeed, he explained "rural areas that are crucial for the EU as they produce food, protect our heritage and protect our landscapes, must play a new role in the green and digital transition". From an economic and environmental point of view, the Member States will have to ensure that the EU Action Plan guarantees the sustainable development of all rural areas. Therefore, it will be the task of Europe provide these communities with the right tools to exploit opportunities future and solve the problems they currently face. They will have to change profoundly in order not to remain outside the broad production restructuring plans included in the 2023-2027 agricultural policy. On the other hand, several EU actions already provide incentives and support to make important pieces of landscape compatible with sustainability and circular economy operations.
The systemic approach is the one that the EU intends to achieve by keeping the temptations of self-sufficiency or inferior sovereignty out of the Plan. Until now, apart from emergencies, the Italian government has expressed interest in a path of rebirth also through the National Rural Network. Now he has the other great opportunity to put good intentions into practice with everything he has foreseen in the post Covid plans. It is important to have a well-defined roadmap and dialogue with companies, trade associations, local authorities. In order not to waste anything that the EU makes available, by mid-2023, the Commission will evaluate which actions it finances have actually been carried out. So the go-ahead for the 2028-2034 programming proposals.
