Green light from the Sicilian regional council to the proposal to declare a natural disaster for the extratropical cyclones that hit Sicily from 17 January to 17 February this year. «The regional government – states the regional councilor for Agriculture, Luca Sammartino – is alongside the agriculture, fishing and aquaculture sectors with concrete support that will allow companies affected by disasters to get back on track».
The damage caused by the passage of extratropical cyclones was significant across the entire regional territory. The production of citrus fruits and artichokes, as well as company structures, were particularly affected. An average percentage of damage is calculated ranging from over 50 percent of crops in eastern Sicily to around 30% in western Sicily, with a quantification of almost 446 million euros. The damage to the structures instead amounts to approximately 39 million euros.
A decisive step has also arrived to support businesses affected by Cyclone Harry: the Chamber of Deputies has approved the amendment which definitively overcomes the challenge of the Council of Ministers on the regional law relating to the obligation of the DURC (Single Document for Contribution Regularity). A result that guarantees a clear framework for contribution and tax obligations. A measure that ensures continuity for companies in terms of contributions.
The rule was included by the national government in the bill for the conversion of decree 25 of 27 February on urgent interventions for the bad weather emergency which has affected Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia since 18 January, in addition to the measures for the Niscemi landslide. The measure now passes to the Senate for consideration. «The national government – says the president of the Sicilian Region, Renato Schifani – has kept its commitment. The challenge to the Council of Ministers, as we had made clear from the beginning, was exclusively technical in nature and did not call into question the overall validity of the regional interventions. Thus we overcome those findings and we can continue to concretely support the affected territories, guaranteeing businesses a rapid restart and without uncertainties on the contribution plan”. «An important result, thanks to the commitment of the Meloni government – adds the councilor for Territory and the Environment, Giusi Savarino – which responds to the needs of many seaside businesses, especially in the hard-hit coastal areas. The aid that we have already activated and that which will arrive can be provided without DURC and tax regularity constraints. At this moment the priority is to get this sector back on its feet and to be ready, in view of the summer season, to welcome the tourists who will arrive in large numbers, looking for safer destinations in light of the instability in the Middle Eastern countries”.