"The new European Multiannual Financial Framework, as proposed, represents a Caporetto for Sardinia and the regional agricultural sector . Cuts to the Common Agricultural Policy , fisheries funds , and cohesion policy risk compromising years of work, planning, and sustainable development in the island's rural areas." This was stated by Gian Franco Satta, Councilor for Agriculture for the Sardinia Region, expressing "serious concern" about the effects the European Commission's proposal will have on the island's production system.
"We're talking about almost €93 billion less for agriculture and fisheries and over €170 billion cut from cohesion compared to the previous programming period: dramatic figures that put the social and economic stability of the most fragile areas of our island and Italy as a whole at risk . A reduction of this magnitude would directly impact Sardinian farms, cooperatives, agri-food supply chains, and ongoing local projects," he adds. "The paradox is that Italy, going from being a net beneficiary, becomes a net contributor to the European budget: we will pay more than we receive, precisely when the regions need support the most. All this is happening with the government's silence and under the direct responsibility of Commissioner Raffaele Fitto, who is responsible for cohesion policy and also oversees the funds allocated to agriculture and fisheries. A strategic defeat on all fronts."
"Sardinia cannot afford this setback," Satta continues. "In recent years, we have worked to strengthen agricultural businesses, promote local production, combat depopulation, and invest in supply chains. Cutting resources now means interrupting virtuous paths and undermining shared efforts with local communities."
"We ask the Italian government to forcefully defend the interests of Sardinia, Southern Italy, and its rural communities at European level, and Commissioner Fitto to take political responsibility for what happened," Satta concluded.
A concern, that of cuts to PACs, is bipartisan.
For Gianluigi Rubiu, regional councilor for the Brothers of Italy party, this is "a foolish and profoundly flawed choice: it would mean depriving Italian and Sardinian farmers of billions of euros, depriving them of vital tools such as direct payments , support for natural disasters, rural development, and business modernization. This carries the real risk of paralyzing thousands of businesses and accelerating the depopulation of our island's countryside."
(Unioneonline/lf)