They fight the crisis with higher indexes of sustainability e traceability: Italian food companies see the economic recovery as a challenge for the market affirmation of quality and product origin brands. For now, the government seems to be on their side.
In the general uncertainty about the reopening of post-coronavirus activities, the Ministers of Economic Development Stefano Patuanelli and of Agricultural and Food Policies, Teresa Bellanova signed the extension to 31 December 2021 ofobligation to indicate the origin of some products.
Wheat, rice and tomato, mainly in processed products, must report data to protect consumers. The two Ministers took it upon themselves to extend a provision that expired on April 1, in reference to a European Regulation. After all, it is in Europe that the real battle over certified, organic, controlled-origin agriculture is being fought.
A political battleground where Italy wants to play a role, in terms of green economy. No Italian agri-food organization intends to give up the values of good agriculture and the value chain which starts from systems of cultivation and land care.
"Italy – said Patuanelli and Bellanova – it is confirmed at the forefront in Europe for the transparency of consumer information on the label. We cannot think of taking steps backwards on this matter and for this reason we have decided to move forward“. However, the European match must also be reconciled with the Green Deal approved by the European Council and with other provisions on agri-food.
The Covid 19 epidemic is already forcing countries to review long-term policies and strategies. It is therefore the first reason for postponing the EU regulation on product labeling until 2021. “It's a rule we don't like – Teresa Bellanova clearly says – to which today, with so many companies that produce closed packaging in Europe, it is difficult to adapt”.
The indications of origin must be affixed with a label in a clear point, so as to be recognisable, legible and indelible. For Italian products on wheat and pasta the country of cultivation must continue to be indicated of wheat and that of milling, EU countries, NON-EU countries, if at least 50% of durum wheat is grown in a single country. For rice - another product of ancient Italian tradition -, the label must indicate the country of processing, that of packaging, in addition to the origin.
With regard to tomatoes (the Italian ones, from the South, are the most requested on the global market) the packages of derivatives, gravies and sauces produced must indicate the country where the tomato is grown and the one where it is transformed and packaged for sale. However, there is an advantage for red gold grown and packaged in Italy: a label with the wording “Origin of the tomato: Italy” is enough. The European decision for the 2021 obligation is expected in the next few weeks. Hopefully without inconsistency with the coronavirus emergency.
