The Council of Ministers approved the decree law with urgent provisions and support measures for the road haulage, agriculture, and fishing sectors. This measure comes after recent protests over the high cost of living, culminating in roadblocks by truck drivers in several regions of Southern Italy .
After the meeting, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni highlighted on social media the "agreement with the road haulage associations, resources already paid, and new measures for farmers and fishermen approved today by the Council of Ministers. The government is listening to those who protest peacefully and working to provide concrete solutions."
Specifically, the government allocates a total of €175.2 million in new aid for road haulage, agriculture, and fishing. The decree first extends the tax credit for trucks until October, with €105.2 million earmarked to combat the high cost of diesel fuel. Additionally, €60 million in non-repayable grants are available for farmers and €10 million for fishermen.
All measures:
€105 MILLION FOR ROAD TRANSPORT - The tax credit already provided for by the excise decrees has been increased. The current allocation of €430 million for the months of March through September has been increased by €45.2 million and limited to the months of March through August. An additional €60 million has been allocated for expenses in September and up to October 5th.
NEW REGULATIONS FOR TRUCKS - At a regulatory level, the decree also provides for the suspension until March 31, 2027, of leasing payments for vehicles expiring between November 2026 and March 2027, to ease the financial pressure on businesses.
€60 MILLION FOR AGRICULTURE - A non-repayable grant equal to 20% of fuel purchases from June 1st to October 15th, 2026, up to a maximum of 45 cents per liter, will be available. The funds will be transferred to Agea, the authority responsible for managing the aid scheme's compliance requirements. The procedures and deadlines for submitting the documentation will be defined within five days of the decree's entry into force; payments are expected within the following thirty days.
10 MILLION FOR FISHING - The sector will also receive a non-repayable grant equal to 10% of expenses incurred during the same period.
€590 MILLION FOR VEHICLE RENEWAL POSTPONED - The government has promised to allocate over half a billion euros for truck renewal. These funds will, however, be released later, perhaps in the budget, partly following negotiations with the EU on polluting vehicles.
(Unioneonline/lf)
