Stop EU tariffs on fertilisers. In Italia 100 million for tax credit
The issue of escalating costs at the centre of the G7 agriculture ministers' meeting in Paris. D'Eramo (Masaf): Italia allocates 100 million to support agricultural enterprises in their purchases
by Giorgio dell'Orefice
Key points
Suspension, in Europe, of tariffs on the main nitrogen fertilisers used in agriculture and, at national level, an allocation of 100 million euros to be given to farms in the form of tax credits for the purchase of fertilisers and fuels. These are the measures adopted immediately after the extraordinary meeting of the G7 agriculture ministers in Paris today on the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East and in particular on fertiliser prices.
A crisis triggered by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
The aim of the meeting was to take stock of the current difficulties faced by farmers and to consider ''common actions'', against a backdrop of the flare-up in fertiliser prices since the start of the conflict in Iran in early February and the almost complete blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which some 30% of the world's fertiliser transits. Representatives from the OECD, the FAO and the Agricultural Market Information System also took part in the meeting promoted by the French G7 presidency.
D'Eramo (Masaf): an immediate response but also structural policies
For Italia, Luigi D'Eramo, Undersecretary for Agriculture, was present. 'It is essential,' D'Eramo commented, 'to develop a strategy that combines immediate response interventions with structural policies. Following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Italia, through Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, immediately took action, both at the European level to request the suspension of tariffs on the main nitrogenous fertilisers used in agricultural production, and at the national level, allocating 100 million euro to support the primary sector, through the recognition of tax credits to farms for the purchase of fertilisers and fuels".
The meeting also highlighted the importance of diversifying sources of raw material supply and encouraging the production of innovative fertilisers, including by-product recovery, in line with the principles of the circular economy.
A coordinated effort is needed to strengthen food systems
"The challenges recalled today," the undersecretary added, "require a coordinated commitment of our countries to strengthen the resilience of food systems. We all have a moral and political duty to respond to emergencies not only with declarations of principle, but also with urgent and concrete actions, through sustainable policies aimed at the future of new generations'.
