Mipaaf, Bellanova: “Agri-food systems have been able to resist the pandemic. Now strengthen food safety policies "
“The pandemic has put a strain on agri-food systems which have nevertheless ensured access to food. However, we are aware of the need to strengthen food safety policies in order to achieve the objectives of the 2030 Agenda. Italy, in line with the European Green Pact Strategy and the Producer-to-Consumer Strategy, wants to make its own contribution to a global turning point that moves towards production practices and processes that not only do not damage the environment but make it richer in terms of biodiversity, protect the territory and develop the economies of rural areas ".
Thus the Minister for Agriculture Teresa Bellanova, who spoke at the conclusion of the G20 Agriculture held in the afternoon of today by videoconference.
“According to FAO estimates, 690 million people suffer from malnutrition. Since 2014 the number of undernourished has increased by 60 million and in some areas of the world the situation is particularly serious: in 2019 in Africa the undernourishment rate is 19,1% with more than 250 million undernourished people. For this reason ”, Minister Bellanova said decisively,“ I think that as G20 countries we must try to lay the foundations for concrete actions that help countries that are not in line with the zero hunger goal ”.
“In a few weeks”, Bellanova concluded, “Italy will assume the presidency of the G20 for the first time. In view of next year's meeting, I want to ensure Italy's full willingness to share reflections on priorities and accept your suggestions as early as the next few weeks, in order to identify results that give substance to our political commitments ”.