"Considering the particular difficulties that the olive oil sector is going through, in the context of the different types of products destined for the Emergency Fund aimed at responding to food needs and fragility and which for the first time can count on a mountain of resources equal to 300 million, we have provided 20 million for the purchase, through public procedures, of 100% Italian extra virgin olive oil. I myself have asked the Offices to follow two principles for the use of funds: starting from the need expressed by the charitable organizations that play an irreplaceable role in the area; avoid food waste, by intervening on the Italian sectors most at risk ".
These are the words spoken yesterday by Minister Teresa Bellanova speaking yesterday during Question Time.
"Vice versa", the Minister continued, "the call for tenders launched by the Agency for disbursements in agriculture (AGEA) for the supply of olive oil to the poor meets the criteria imposed by the European legislation whose specifications provide that the oil extra virgin olive oil is obtained from olives produced, pressed and packaged in the European Union, taking into account that this call falls within the European FEAD funds ".