Italia Zuccheri, the only 100% Italian sugar producer, proudly renounces the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in beet crops, as is the practice in neighboring France. (1) The reason for the choice is simple, neonicotinoids are a cause of extermination for bees, which by the way are key players in biodiversity (EFSA,2018).
The 100% Italian and sustainable sugar
The news-disseminated just as beet planting begins-confirms Italia Zuccheri’s concrete commitment to sustainability, already demonstrated with the launch of Italy’s first organically grown sugar.
A production branch of Coprob, the company is distinguished by sourcing beets from 5 thousand Italian farms.
An all-Italian supply chain, from which the three lines of 100% Made in Italy sugar are born: Nostrano, Nostrano Bio and Semolato.
The Plus of Organic Sugar Made in Italy
The choice to forgo seed treatment with neonicotinoids deserves consumers’ reward. Although Italian sugar will be priced slightly higher than sugar with imported poisons.
The same attention should be paid by organic sparkling wine producers who, by using Italian organic sugar for ‘froth taking,’ could boast the origin ‘Agricoltura Italia’ on the label.
Save the bees, still need everyone’s signature
The Italian sugar mill’s virtuous decision is also worth reminding us all of the urgency of ending the use of pesticides in agriculture that are hazardous to health and ecosystems. (2)
We therefore renew our invitation to
participate
in the European citizens’ initiative ‘Save Bees and Farmers’.
#SaveTheBees!
Notes
(1) Dario Dongo, Gioele Lucchese. Pesticides, EU Court of Justice green light for national bans. Save the bees. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 7.11.20 https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/pesticidi-via-libera-della-corte-di-giustizia-ue-ai-divieti-nazionali-salviamo-le-api
(2) Dario Dongo. #Savethebees! Save the bees, European citizens’ initiative. Égalité. 15.1.21, https://www.egalite.org/savethebees-salviamo-le-api-iniziativa-dei-cittadini-europei/
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
