The 'Charter of Pisa' is born: municipalities as protagonists in the promotion of agri-food policies
Mayor of Pisa and Anci delegate for Agriculture Michele Conti comments with satisfaction on the document signed during a conference organised by the Municipality of Pisa with Anci and Anci Toscana.
The 'Charter of Pisa' approved on 25 November in the city of the Leaning Tower, relaunches the role of municipalities in the promotion of our country's agri-food policies, strengthening the relationship of dialogue between the Ministry of Agriculture and the system of local autonomies. "I am very proud that such an important document bears the name of our city and that a new course for national agrifood policies starts from here," said Michele Conti, mayor of Pisa and Anci delegate for Agriculture, during the public meeting 'La campagna in Comune. Le proposte dell'Anci per le politiche della terra, del cibo e la promozione dei territori', organised by the Municipality of Pisa in collaboration with Anci and Anci Toscana.
"Municipalities must reaffirm their central importance on the issue of landscape conservation and their commitment to environmental, landscape and cultural protection, thus ensuring that - added Conti - the Italian agricultural landscape is not abandoned or improperly consumed. The food and wine excellences that make our country great, producing wealth, generating work, maintaining the environment, territory and traditions, represent a system of value in terms of identity, production and attractiveness, which must be protected and promoted at all levels of government, starting with the system of local autonomies. As of today," concluded the Anci delegate, "we must work together to fully implement the Pisa Charter and consolidate the bond between urban centres, communities and territories."
During the conference, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, Francesco Lollobrigida, streamed in and expressed his appreciation for Anci's initiative, which consolidates the relations started with the world of municipalities.
The Pisa Charter, with which the Association renews its commitment alongside the municipalities to safeguard production traditions, protect food quality and valorise local identities, with a view to stable collaboration with MASAF and the entire agri-food chain, identifies a number of priorities. Such as the establishment of a permanent discussion table with MASAF, the encouragement of conscious consumption and short supply chains, with particular reference to school canteens, and the census and valorisation of typical local products, associated practices (thematic networks) and territorial garrisons that support their promotion. The subscribing municipalities are also committed to participate in the Made in Italy policies, to continue implementing the PNRR and SNAI projects, and to support the candidature of Italian Cuisine as a UNESCO Intangible Heritage.
Susanna Cenni, Mayor of Poggibonsi and President of Anci Toscana, stressed that "the meeting in Pisa is an opportunity to renew also in Tuscany Anci's strong commitment to support administrations to protect agrifood production and promote the wellbeing of communities, starting with support for catering, proximity trade, quality school canteens and virtuous supply chains".
"Our hope," Cenni concludes, "is that the projects that we have developed in recent years in our region can continue in the future to enhance the value of local production excellence by networking all those involved, from municipalities to European institutions, from universities to businesses and associations."
The "Charter of Pisa". With the approval of the document, the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI), affirms the strategic role of Municipalities in the safeguard of agricultural production traditions and in the protection of food quality, recognising the Italian agricultural and agri-food sector as a fundamental engine for the development and valorisation of local territories, able to contribute in a decisive way to their economic, social and cultural growth through the promotion of products and the safeguard of traditions.
The Anci intends to commit itself to promoting actions in favour of the strengthening of the agrifood supply chain and food culture, in coordination with the MASAF and the other institutional and non-institutional actors of the supply chain, by identifying the following priorities
- Establishment of a permanent discussion table with the MASAF;
- Encouragement of conscious consumption and short supply chains, with particular reference to school canteens;
- Census and valorisation of local typicalities, associated practices (thematic networks) and territorial garrisons that support their promotion;
- Protection and valorisation of rural landscapes;
- Pilot programme for the redevelopment of uncultivated land;
- Participation of municipalities in Made in Italy policies;
- Implementation of PNRR projects;
- Technical support to municipalities in the implementation of the Farm File for agricultural land owned by them;
- Support for the candidature of Italian Cuisine as a UNESCO Intangible Heritage.
