Three decrees aimed at supporting the olive and wine sector were signed by the Minister of Agricultural Policies, Stefano Patuanelli,on which agreement was reached at the last session of the State-Regions Conference.
The aid discipline for the territories affected by the Xylella fastidiosa bacterium, whose olive production is still suffering strongly, is changed.
The draft decree, taking into account that the current level of production in the affected territories can only be guaranteed by supporting measures taking into account the multi-annual characteristics of the crop, sets a period of four years for the replanting of olive trees, as well as specific rules to continue to benefit from coupled aid during the period when the olive growing area is unproductive.
Two decrees concern the wine sector and are aimed at supporting the entire sector, which is strongly affected by the consequences resulting from the blocking of the Ho.re.ca.
and the export crisis due to the epidemiological emergency from Covid-19. The first decree concerns the promotion in third countries of Italian wine products, for which the timetable for the implementation of the programmes for the 2020/2021 annuality isextended by two months, in order to facilitate the greatest possible expenditure of the support provided for by the Measure Promotion in third countries of the Wine CMO and to encourage the dynamics of rebalancing of the markets linked to this sector,also considering the evolution of the epidemiological situation, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in third country markets and on the national territory, as well as the consequences that containment measures on its spread have had and continue to have on the wine sector and on trade between Europe and third countries.
The second decree, in force since 1 January 2021, implements some recently adopted Community provisions to deal with the continuing crisis resulting from the pandemic and presents a series of extensions of obligations for wine producers that are about to expire.
In particular, a certain flexibility is allowed in the implementation and management of the measures included in the National Support Programme for the Wine Sector (SNG), payments of certain contributions are waived and finally, with regard to plant authorisations, the validity of authorisations expiring in 2020 is extended to 31 December 2021 with the possibility, for producers who no longer intend to use the authorisation or take advantage of the extension, not to incur sanctions. ■