The Calabrian PDO Economy is growing, reaching over 62 million euros in value, with a leap of 8.2% in 2024 and constantly growing, in the value of the economy linked to PDO and PGI products, an agri-food heritage to be protected also thanks to the Caselli law on agri-food crimes, approved by the Senate, with the hope that the provision can now also be quickly approved by the Chamber. This was reported by Coldiretti Calabria, on the basis of the XXIII Ismea-Qualivita Report on Italian PDO, PGI and TSG agri-food and wine production, on the occasion of the approval in the Senate of the Agri-food bill (dl. no. 1519 on sanctioning provisions for the protection of Italian food products), connected to the measure.
The approved bill on agri-food crimes represents a historic step for the protection of the excellence of an expanded agri-food supply chain which sees the Dop Economy as its point of excellence – states Coldiretti – in highlighting the DdL which has been awaited for ten years, which takes up the proposals of the so-called “Caselli Law” which has always been supported by Coldiretti thanks to the work of the Agromafie Observatory.
The Agri-Food bill, approved by the Senate at first reading, now passes to the Chamber for consideration, is a measure which dates back in its original form to 2015, when the Caselli commission was established. Gian Carlo Caselli is President of the Scientific Committee of the Agromafie Observatory Foundation, promoted by Coldiretti, and is the magistrate responsible for the original architecture of the law thanks to a Commission established to update the regulatory control system. The text was integrated thanks to hearings at Ministry and Parliament level but also with the police.
The update of the penal code with a chapter dedicated to crimes against agri-food heritage represents a fundamental progress to effectively combat fraud in the food supply chain – notes Coldiretti. This reform aims to protect the PDO and PGI designations of origin in particular, considering that with the introduction of the crime of agro-piracy the criminal danger of organized and repeated fraudulent activities is finally recognised. Satisfaction also for the new regulation which strengthens administrative sanctions for those who violate the rules on labelling, origin, ingredients and names.
A battle that has always seen Coldiretti in the front row for the recognition of the origin of all European products and in contrast to an Italian sounding today permitted by the customs code which allows, through the latest transformation, to make a foreign product magically become made in Italy. The Geographical Indications system – comments Franco Aceto, president of Coldiretti Calabria – continues to represent a winning production model, capable of generating widespread value across the territory, keeping internal areas vital and guaranteeing development and competitiveness for our agri-food sector.