Meloni in Tokyo as farmers arrive in Rome

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in Tokyo for the handover of the G7 presidency, while thousands of farmers on tractors arrived to protest in Rome on Monday in response to Brussels’ agricultural policies.

Meloni met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday for the handover of the G7 presidency, which is now Italy’s turn. A year ago, Kishida travelled to Rome to strengthen alliances and sign a strategic partnership, resulting in a trade exchange that has grown by 10% and is worth around €15 billion.

However, while Meloni focuses on the presidency, thousands of tractors have been going to Rome in an open confrontation with Brussels and the government if it does not support their protest.

“We have always met the farmers, one of the main worlds I have paid attention to, the facts prove it”, says Meloni, referring to the increase in funds in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which now provides €8 billion, instead of €5 billion, to the agricultural sector.

“You can always work to do better and more, I am always willing to listen to requests”, she added, mentioning the rule banning synthetic food as a defence of excellent products.

Farmers have mobilised all over Italy. They are protesting against Brussels’s agricultural policies, against the increase in the price of fuel and raw materials, but also against the excessively low prices for their products. According to them, they produce for nothing or even at a loss.

“In Italy, we will not do as Brussels does, we have never done it. This allowed us to get to Rome. Protests continue throughout Italy and are planned for almost the whole week”, said the leader of the farmers’ revolt, Danilo Calvani.

“Green policies are devastating for our sector. (…) They prevent us from producing, but they do not stop the free market bringing goods to Europe”, he added.

(Federica Pascale | Euractiv.it)