Lombardy Seeks to Exclude Mantova Hill Communes from Disadvantaged Zones
The Lombardy Region will propose to the Ministry of Agriculture a modification of the Cipe resolution that excludes the hill communes of Mantova from disadvantaged zones: Cavriana, Castiglione, Monzambano, Ponti, Solferino, and Volta. “The news – states the president of Coldiretti, Aldo Caleffi – although not yet official, was confirmed yesterday by a reliable source.” The regional council – continues the president – will make a decision in the coming days and will then communicate it to the ministry. We hope that Rome will accept this proposal. Otherwise, a large area of our province would be penalized.
Implications of the Removal of the Disadvantaged Zone Status
The elimination of the disadvantaged zone designation results in increased fiscal and social security burdens for the agricultural enterprises in these municipalities. “Overall,” emphasizes Coldiretti, “the benefits amount to about 3.5 billion euros annually. A necessary aid, which helps compensate for the difficulties in farming the land and the higher irrigation costs. It is therefore a duty that the Ministry must give maximum attention to.”
Coldiretti’s efforts have been understood and supported by the Province and the interested municipalities. “It’s a collaboration,” highlights Caleffi, “that has led to positive regional outcomes. Both the assessor Orlandini and the manager Comegna, along with mayors and municipal councils, have accepted Coldiretti’s requests by approving the submitted document and actively engaging with the Region to justify the request for this area of Mantova.”
The next step is the ministerial approval, for which Coldiretti has activated its National Confederation. “It would be absurd,” concludes Aldo Caleffi, “if the proposal motivated by Lombardy Region were rejected, perhaps with vague financial justifications. The Mantova hill area is a sensitive zone that needs to be protected from an agricultural perspective, also to ensure adequate territorial safeguarding.”
The issue is being actively followed by the Environmental Office and the Social Security Office of Coldiretti Mantova, under the responsibility of Carlo Anselmi and Maurizio Giovanelli.