Sharing on the Plan by Institutions and Associations. More resources for compensation to farmers and oil mills
Indemnities, investments, research. These are the key words of the olive growing of Puglia that the Minister for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies Teresa Bellanova wanted to reiterate once again today, opening the meeting convened with institutions and associations to illustrate the extraordinary plan.
Concluded a few minutes ago, the meeting, which took place in a serene and proactive climate, confirmed the layout of the Plan, as illustrated in recent days by the Minister herself. No changes, except in the increase in resources on compensation to farmers and millers.
Starting from this aspect, at the opening, it was precisely the Minister Bellanova who made explicit the rationale of the strategy: "To those who ask that the resources go only to this measure", he said, "I remember that the rule imposes a different choice. This is not possible".
So investments. "To regenerate olive growing and agriculture, agricultural enterprises that invest," continued Bellanova, "who can make replantings, plant other crops, work with a view to the territory with processing and marketing companies." For this specific measures are foreseen. And also the part on district contracts, to encourage spatial planning. Is it necessary or not to redesign a territory where before there was an identity culture and now the desert? I answer yes. It is necessary to understand where, what and what procedures farmers must go through in order to do their job. I asked my legislative office to work with Cultural Heritage, Environment and Region to definitively clarify what is allowed and what is not. We made a protocol that unlocked the replanting of olive trees with the 2 resistant species. I think we have to start from the olive tree but that farmers must be free to do business, respecting the rules ".
Therefore, the research, a real keystone: "It is essential", concluded Minister Bellanova, "in giving perspective to agricultural regeneration. Adequate resources are needed but above all we need to find coordination. With a clear goal: research must help farmers. Don't be an end in itself, don't be uncoordinated, don't be in competition. Is essential. If today we can hope for the keeping of two species identified as resistant it is because research has been done ".