Local fruits and vegetables and other local agri-food products are among the products challenged by the Covid-19 emergency. Generally distributed through farmers’ or district markets, direct growers’ crops, very often organic, remain outside the currently operating food distribution circuit. An exclusion that is harmful to producers and consumers, denounces theItalian Rural Association (ARI), which calls on the government for concrete support to prevent the ruin of a sector that is essential to the local economy and the environment and highly valued by citizens. And useful for maintaining a diet useful for strengthening the immune system.
Reopening farmers markets
The closure of farmers’ markets was ordered by municipalities to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection. However, ARI points out, these restrictive measures exceed the dictate of Dpcm 11.3.20, which leaves food markets open.
‘In order to counter and contain the spread of COVID-19 virus, the following measures shall be taken throughout the country: Retail business activities are suspended, with the exception of the food and basic necessities sales activities identified in Annex 1, both within the scope of neighborhood businesses and within the scope of medium and large-scale distribution, including those included in shopping malls, provided that only the aforementioned activities are allowed access. Regardless of the type of activity carried out, markets are closed, except for activities directed to the sale of food only. Newsstands, tobacconists, pharmacies, and parapharmacies remain open. An interpersonal safety distance of one meter must be ensured in all cases‘, Dpcm 11.3.2020.
Precautionary measures in markets
The same security measures taken at supermarkets and stores specifically authorized to open can be taken at farmers’ markets.
Contagion risk reduction can be implemented by controlling the flow of patrons and maintaining appropriate arrangements:
– Interpersonal distance of at least one meter,
– Use of personal protective equipment(gloves and masks),
– Sanitization of environment and work tools.
Farmers’ resilience
When the emergency will end ‘it will not be “cash injections” that will determine the recovery, but the ability, will, resilience and productive autonomy of farmers, artisans, small and medium-sized businesses operating at the local level, the real backbone of the national economy. Only if they are not permanently annihilated in the meantime.‘, states the farmers’ association.
The ‘Cura Italia’ decree, in fact, allocates resources for the export of Italian agribusiness. However, ARI points out, ‘it neglects an essential component of Italian agriculture: more than one million direct-to-farm farms in which more than 1.6 million people work.’ And while providing appreciable protections for agricultural workers (Art. 22; Art. 30; Art. 32), in the Measures in Favor of the Agricultural and Fisheries Sector (Art. 78) it affects ‘a trivially small number of large or very large agricultural enterprises that represent neither the agricultural production structure nor the effective capacity to provide food in a capillary and decentralized manner that is most needed in this dramatic emergency.’
‘Cure Italy’ decree, ARI’s demands
ARI makes precise requests to the Prime Minister’s Office and local governments, demanding a firm commitment on certain points:
– Obligation to territorial purchase. For hospitals, barracks and other communities, as well as their suppliers of raw materials and processed foods, encourage and prioritize the purchase of food and agricultural products for fresh consumption from farms in the territories, based exceptionally on simplified calls for tenders. And in compliance with the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) established by the EU directive on ‘GreenPublicProcurement’ (GPP), transposed in Italy in the Procurement Code (Legislative Decree 50/16, Art. 34).
– Retail trade. We ask that mayors be notified, through the prefectures, to keep open and reorganize street food markets, with appropriate measures in terms of controlled and quota entries. Door-to-door deliveries should also be encouraged by allowing collective distribution of food contributed by different producers, as a temporary exception to current regulations.
– Sourcing to large retailers. Allow simplified sales, on a territorial basis and on an exceptional basis, to large-scale retail channels, as an exception to voluntary certifications (e.g., ISO EN 9001) generally required by supermarkets and industries.
– Prices to producers. Increasing pressure from unsold production can be expected in the coming months. To avoid abuses from speculation or dominance, there must be effective control over prices paid to producers and prices charged to consumers, for food and agricultural products.
– Seasonal work. Positive admission to layoff for agricultural workers, including seasonal workers. It is, however, erroneous and counterproductive for any initiative to delay the granting of residence permits.
– CAP (Common Agricultural Policy). Anticipate the payment of the full balance of the 2019 CAP, initially scheduled for June 2020. With the Agricultural Assistance Centers closed, it also serves farmers’ direct access to the procedures for submitting CAP 2020 applications (Pillar I and II) and allow requests for an advance (subject to adjustment).
– Corporate debt. Implement a specific intervention for exposures of less than €50,000 to help the many small and medium-sized farms with major debt exposures.
– Farmhouses and agri-restaurants. In supporting tourism-hotel activities, priority should be given to small agrotourism businesses (maximum 15 beds and 30 covers).
– Support the request to ANCI to keep municipal farmers’ markets open.
Great Italian Food Trade (GIFT) and Égalité Onlus adhere to and support the position expressed by Assorurale, recalling the essential value of peasant eco-agriculture in achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) in the UN 2030 Agenda.
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
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".
