Sustainable farming policy and Italian agriculture: The European Green Deal presents Italian farmers with challenging goals: a 50% reduction each in chemical pesticide use and the use of antibiotics in farm animals; at least 20% reduction in fertiliser use; at least 25% of the agricultural land must be dedicated to organic farming – all this by 2050. How will Italy’s farmers fare?

Although there is room within the European Green Deal for sustainable farming, it is necessary for a rethink not only a from direct and sustainable sustainable perspective – i.e. from farm to fork – but above all in terms of quality: European agriculture of the future must combat water pollution and the loss of biodiversity by reducing the use of pesticides, fertilisers and antibiotics, but also limit excessive consumption of natural resources. It must also play a key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

The article examines how Italy’s farmers will rise to the challenge and sets out the objectives of the EU’s agricultural policy from 2021 onwards, the rise of “smart agriculture” and research carried out into the attractiveness of the agricultural sector to young jobseekers.

Read more in green-planner.magazine (Italian)