"A European fund is needed to eliminate the effect of any US duties on agri-food products. Putting our cheeses, wine, oil and the excellences that represent the culture and identity of our territories at risk is unacceptable. Now is the time for diplomacy, we need to find an agreement with the Trump administration, because only citizens and businesses would pay for a trade war with Europe. But I think the time has come for Europe to anticipate the problems, because up to now we have come to intervene two or three years late. When maybe the companies had closed. That is why I wrote to Commissioner Hogan to foresee the creation of an Azzeradazi Fund in any case and to evaluate any necessary action also on export refunds. We are facing a new phase of international relations, we cannot use inadequate tools. Immediate answers are needed, because the risk is very high".
Thus the announcement of Minister Teresa Bellanova today from Milan, speaking at the Confagricoltura Round Table on the role of agriculture in sustainable development.