D’Eramo in Madrid for Fruit Attraction: ‘Agriculture at the Center of the Political Agenda’

D’Eramo in Madrid for Fruit Attraction: ‘Agriculture at the Center of the Political Agenda’

(ANSA) - MADRID, 06 OTT - “Europe must pursue an absolutely clear course of action, fully implementing the principle of reciprocity.” This was the call made by Undersecretary of Agriculture Luigi D’Eramo, who spoke at the event “Italian Agri-Food: Businesses, Markets, and Strategies. Between the Energy Crisis and New Trade Challenges,” organized by the Italian Embassy in Madrid at the Consulate General on the occasion of the international Fruit Attraction trade fair, held October 6–8 at the IFEMA complex in the Spanish capital. The discussion brought together representatives from the leading organizations in the Italian agri-food sector to address business prospects, market access, and new challenges to competitiveness, including the energy crisis, innovation, and climate change. Following opening remarks by the Italian Ambassador to Spain, Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi, speakers included Antonio Salvatore, president of Unaproa; Paolo Mele, member of the Executive Board of Confagricoltura; Davide Vernocchi, vice president of Confcooperative Agroalimentare e Pesca; Emilio Ferrara, president of Edamus; Marco Salvi, president of Fruitimprese; and Andrea Badursi, president of Italia Ortofrutta-Unione nazionale. D’Eramo delivered the closing remarks. The undersecretary emphasized the role of agriculture in the government’s policies. “It is thanks to this government that agriculture has been placed at the center of the national political agenda,” he stated. “We have done so by making 17 billion euros available over the past four years,” he added, also emphasizing that “we have increased investments in technological innovation by an equally significant amount.” For D’Eramo, innovation and investment must enable businesses to cope with rising energy costs, conflicts, and the effects of climate change, thereby strengthening the sector’s competitiveness. But the central political issue, he stressed, is reciprocity in trade relations between the EU and non-European countries. “When importing from non-European countries, we must ensure—through certification—that those products are produced, grown, and processed in accordance with the same standards” as those required by the European system, he said. “If we do not do this, we will clearly achieve no results whatsoever and will harm our producers and farmers.” D’Eramo also highlighted the strategic importance of food safety and the need to defend the role of agriculture in future European policies. Ambassador Buccino Grimaldi emphasized the strength of Italy’s presence at Fruit Attraction, an event that has become a European benchmark, and on the particularly significant Italian participation, with 322 Italian companies taking part in the 18th edition out of a total of 2,500 exhibiting companies, making Italy the most represented country. Meanwhile, 108 companies are part of the collective organized by ICE, the Agency for the Promotion Abroad and Internationalization of Italian Enterprises. “This participation clearly demonstrates our sector’s international outlook and the willingness of companies to engage with markets, meet new partners, consolidate the potential of commercial relationships, and, above all, seize new growth opportunities in a region and market such as Spain,” emphasized Buccino Grimaldi. The ambassador highlighted the strength of economic and trade relations between Italy and Spain. These are countries that “share certain priorities,” including the call on the EU for “a strong and adequately funded Common Agricultural Policy, an ever-greater focus on the competitiveness and profitability of agricultural businesses—in a geopolitical and climatic context that is not always favorable—and a simpler European framework capable of supporting investment and innovation.” Read article...