“The war in Iran risks causing a new energy shock for the agro-food sector and for Italian families with a heavy impact on production costs and consumption.” This is the alarm raised by Coldiretti during a mobilization in Naples with 5,000 members.
Coldiretti’s Concerns: Rising Costs and the Shadow of the Ukraine War
The conflict between the USA, Israel, and Iran threatens to replicate what happened with the war in Ukraine, with a surge in the prices of key production factors. Coldiretti highlights that even after four years, these prices remain significantly higher: fertilizers are up by 49%, and energy by 66%.
The event in Naples saw the presence of prominent figures including the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, President Ettore Prandini, Secretary General Vincenzo Gesmundo, and President of Coldiretti Campania, Ettore Bellelli.
The Impact on Production Costs
From energy costs to those for fertilizers, the conflict between the USA, Israel, and Iran, explains Coldiretti, threatens to replicate what happened with the war in Ukraine, with the skyrocketing prices of the main production factors. After four years, these prices remain significantly higher, with a 49% increase for fertilizers and a 66% increase for energy.
This underscores the importance of supporting European food production, ensuring that resources reach genuine farmers, and consolidating the achievements of Coldiretti’s mobilizations. These efforts, supported by the Italian Government, have led to the recovery of 10 billion from the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) compared to the cuts proposed by the EU Commission.
Coldiretti’s Demands: Customs Code Reform and Origin Labeling
In Naples, Coldiretti reiterated the need to abolish the current rule on the last substantial transformation of the customs code. This rule negatively impacts the economy of Italian agricultural enterprises in terms of income and export opportunities, and it is seen as misleading for all European consumer citizens. The organization also reiterated its demand for mandatory origin labeling on all food products sold in Europe.
Coldiretti’s mobilization in Naples serves as a strong message to both national and European institutions about the urgent need to protect the agro-food sector from external shocks and to ensure fair conditions for Italian farmers and consumers.
The potential for a new energy crisis, building on the lingering effects of the Ukraine war, presents a significant challenge for the Italian economy, particularly for a sector as vital as agriculture. Coldiretti’s demands aim to secure both economic stability for farmers and transparency for consumers in the face of global geopolitical uncertainties.
The organization emphasizes that the current geopolitical situation could have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only the profitability of agricultural businesses but also the affordability of food for Italian families. The call for a review of the customs code and mandatory origin labeling reflects a broader strategy to strengthen the position of Italian agricultural products in the market and protect them from unfair competition.
The presence of high-ranking government officials at the Naples event underscores the seriousness with which these concerns are being taken. Coldiretti continues to advocate for policies that support sustainable agriculture and ensure food security in Italy and across Europe.
Source: https://www.napolitoday.it/cronaca/coldiretti-allarme-guerra-iran-costi-energia.html
