A statement from the M5S press office reports that Minister Stefano Patuanelli has reportedly proposed to colleagues Roberto Speranza and Giancarlo Giorgetti that the decrees on the labeling of the origin and/or provenance of raw materials of pasta, rice, milk and dairy products, canned tomatoes, and pork products and preparations be extended in effectiveness – to Dec. 31.22.
These decrees, moreover, are ineffective ab origine, as noted (1,2,3) because they were adopted in violation of EU rules that require prior notification to the European Commission-and the green light, from Brussels-of any national technical standard that affects the placing of goods on the internal market. With the sole exception of the last DM, on the origin of pork (4).
Origin decrees, theoretical extension to 31.12.22
MoVimento 5 Stelle press release 4.11.21 reports statements by its deputy Luciano Cillis in the House Agriculture Committee. Who, as a result of today’s session, reports that the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry would have already sent drafts of the ‘Extension decrees to the concurring ministries, namely Health and Economic Development, to extend until Dec. 31, 2022, the requirement to indicate the origin of raw materials on labels, which is set to expire at the end of the year‘.
The measures would affect, ‘pasta with durum wheat, tomato, rice, milk and dairy products as well as processed pork. The 5 Star Movement has been fighting since it entered Parliament for transparent labeling on the origin of food raw materials that would make consumers fully aware of the choices they make.’
Origin pasta, rice, tomato, milk. Ineffective decrees
The indication of the origin and/or provenance of raw materials in some industrial first-processing products has been provided as mandatory in labeling through a series of interministerial decrees:
– DM 9.12.16, about theorigin of milk used in all Made in Italy dairy products,
– Decrees 26.7.17 on mandatory labeling of the origin of wheat in pasta, and paddy rice in rice,
– Ministerial Decree 16.11.17, on the mandatory indication of origin of tomatoes.
Four decrees that are unfortunately ineffective, as the Coldiretti magic circle that has always governed Italian agribusiness policies persists in ignoring the duty of prior notification of national technical standards for goods to the European Commission. Otherwise, in these cases as in the analogous one in Leg. 145/17, the decrees count as waste paper (5,6,7).
Origin and provenance of raw materials, ‘why it pays off’
The Draghi government does not need to continue the cycle of abuses of office committed by the Gentiloni circus and vainly denounced, by this writer, to the Mist Prosecutor’s Office. (8) It is also true that Coldiretti knows how to reward its acolytes well – Paolo Gentiloni is now European Commissioner, Maurizio Martina deputy director of FAO, Carlo Calenda picks up a few votes with his new party, Teresa Bellanova deputy minister of Infrastructure, Stefano Patuanelli still minister – but:
– Trampling on European rules harms the system-country. And instead, it is possible to achieve far better results, respecting them, as France teaches, but most importantly
– indicating the provenance and origin of raw materials on the label pays off for food operators, as Italian consumers increasingly look for ‘100% Made in Italy‘. As reports by Immagino (GS1-Italy, Nielsen) and Coop Italia attest.
Locating and geolocating
The revolutionary genius Vito Gulli – the one who created the AsDoMar phenomenon from the ashes of an Olbia industry destined to close – demonstrated in unsuspected times and against the trend how to create Made in Italy value through:
– labor localization in Italy and effective protection of workers (complete with SA8000 certification),
– Genuine and guaranteed sustainability, of raw materials and processes.
Locating and geolocating supply chains, ensuring the authenticity and socio-environmental sustainability of raw materials and processes is now also possible through incorruptible technologies such as public blockchain systems. You just have to want it.
Made in Italy, AAA legality wanted
Made in Italy food does not need quack decrees in defiance of EU rules. Instead, policy must ensure legality and put an end to the unfair competition that occurs, primarily, in two instances:
– Below-cost sales and unfair trade practices. Coldiretti’s magic circle, combination, made deals to thwart the Unfair Trade Practices Directive. (9) Which in fact to date has not been implemented in Italy,
– Food fraud and worker abuse. Coldiretti’s friends often go unpunished in the face of shameful fraud on the origin of raw materials, as in the famous case of Filippo Antonio De Cecco. And in any case ‘protected’ from the spread of news in the press, as seen in the Coccodí case.
From the government of the best, it is fair to expect something more. #CleanSpades
Dario Dongo
Cover image by Tom Janssen, Caglecartoons.com
Notes
(1) Dario Dongo (2019). Food Regulations and Enforcement in Italy. Reference Module in Food Science, Elsevier. ISBN 9780081005965. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081005965211724
(2) Dario Dongo. Origin wheat, rice, and tomato. Theoretical renewal of decrees. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 13.7.20,
https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/origine-grano-riso-e-pomodoro-rinnovo-teorico-dei-decreti
(3) Dario Dongo. Decrees origin pasta, rice and tomato. New abuse from Bellanova and Patuanelli. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 3/31/20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/decreti-origine-pasta-riso-e-pomodoro-nuovi-abusi-da-bellanova-e-patuanelli
(4) Dario Dongo. Label of origin of pork in hams and other cured meats. Off to the decree with catch. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 9/19/20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/etichetta-di-origine-delle-carni-suine-in-prosciutti-e-altri-salumi-via-al-decreto-con-tranello
(5) Dario Dongo. Origin decrees, the Gentiloni circus continues. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 8.5.18, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/decreti-origine-prosegue-il-circo-gentiloni
(6) Dario Dongo. Origin decrees, last act. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 12.6.18, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/decreti-origine-ultimo-atto
(7) Dario Dongo. Establishment headquarters, decree unenforceable by the Court of Rome. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 5.1.19, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/etichette/sede-stabilimento-decreto-inapplicabile-per-il-tribunale-di-roma
(8) Dario Dongo. Diciotti to five, what abuses. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 8/28/18, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/idee/diciotti-a-cinque-quali-abusi
(9) Dario Dongo. Unfair trade practices, double-down supply chain agreement. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 7.3.21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/mercati/pratiche-commerciali-sleali-accordo-di-filiera-al-doppio-ribasso
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
