Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, it is important that European citizens are somehow forcing Parliament to discuss how to safeguard bees, which are fundamental creatures for the role of pollination and therefore for human life and biological balance. The value of what bees do in the world can be estimated at about 153 billion euros a year, about 15 billion in Europe alone. We therefore ask, without wasting any more time, for at least four immediate interventions: funds and a programme for the rational restoration of a wildflower habitat in Europe; redirect CAP payments to support pollination services and the repopulation of bees, where their presence has become drastically rarefied; reform the regulation of pesticides to prevent future harm to bees; improve the biosecurity of the soil and potted plants currently on the market. Let us all remember that, with the suffering of these creatures, the entire biological heritage and the entire economy linked to it is at risk. Therefore, not acting would be unconscious.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Italy, Italy's beautiful seas, become cemeteries for thousands of human beings, women and children. In Cutro, mourning has overwhelmed us. And the Italian government has not been able to save the lives of children, women and men and has dared to say, with Minister Piantedosi, that it is the fault of those who leave with their children. It's a slap in the face to centuries of civilization. Human lives must always be saved and those fleeing persecution and war must be welcomed. This horror fills with shame not only us Italians, but all European citizens. I was elected four years ago and from the first day I called for a revision of the Dublin Treaties, which place the responsibility for dealing with a migration phenomenon that is epochal in size and impact, affecting all European countries, on a single country. 26,000 people have died since the Lampedusa massacre. Do you understand? In the face of an inane, unprepared, awkward Italian government, at least Europe takes note of how this dramatic reality can only be faced by each taking their own responsibility: investing men, means and money to save lives today and create conditions for tomorrow's business of human beings. Europe must make a choice of dignity and humanity and respect its roots. If it doesn't, our seas will still be water cemeteries.

(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, crises and speculation, the latter often linked to the mad war between Russia and Ukraine, oblige us to give immediate answers to our farmers regarding the price of fertilisers, the problem of fertilisers, because on the one hand we have farmers forced to increase the cost of fertilisers by up to 130 %, a terrifying blow, and on the other we have consumers for whom we must guarantee food security and non-prohibitive prices. Well the support to the sector, well to calm prices, but it is not enough. This crisis should definitely make us promote two very important practices. First, the use of new digital spraying technologies that can reduce the amount of fertilisers by up to 90% less, while maintaining their effectiveness, resulting in economic savings and reduced pollution. Secondly, the promotion and development of organic fertilisers from agricultural waste, a practice that we should strongly support, because in this way our producers would be part of the production chain in microbiological processes to produce natural fertilisers and would have a new chance to offer healthy products at affordable prices. That's the road we have to take together.

(IT) Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, alcohol is a drug, and it is a legal drug, but it can seriously harm health and cause psychological and physical dependence, increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and social hardship. The best way to combat alcohol abuse and all its possible harmful consequences is to make correct information about this substance and all the foods that contain it. Thinking of combating the possible damage of alcohol by equating wine and cigarettes on labels is the most wrong and unscientific thing that can be done and is exactly the opposite of what we need. Wine contains alcohol and therefore the consumption of wine must certainly be controlled, but on this product, which in Europe and in Italy in particular has unreachable excellences, correct information must be made, creating that healthy culture of wine that has accompanied for centuries those who know how to taste and consume it with the right moderation, without falling into dependence. Let Europe not make the same mistakes already seen with the Nutri-Score, and have the courage, rather, to work seriously on the prevention of alcohol abuse and correct food information, starting with that concerning wine.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, small-scale fishing plays a key role in the EU, accounting for around 76% of active vessels and 50% of crews. It has a key role for food security and sovereignty and a strategic importance for the socio-economic progress of coastal communities and the preservation of local cultural traditions. Immediate measures to protect profits are needed to ensure the survival of small-scale fisheries. Theoretically, we can already draw on the EMFAF on many aspects, but we strongly call for the strengthening of the value chain; intervention on guarantee prices to ensure a fair income; favour short supply chains by creating markets of origin; creation of support programmes to reduce production costs also in light of the increase in fuel; wage compensation fund which makes it possible to count, for pension purposes, also the period of suspension of fishing activities, but above all streamlining and facilitating the application procedures. Artisanal fishing in communities such as Mazara del Vallo, Sciacca, Santa Flavia, Acitrezza is a cultural and economic heritage to be protected; without the real and easily obtainable help from Europe, on the other hand, it risks becoming extinct with tremendous damage.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Europe was born to unite peoples who proudly have different ethnic and cultural origins, which makes the union between different peoples with similar objectives strong and necessary. The beauty of these different roots is demonstrated by the flowers and fruits that have given, like our beautiful capitals, amazing for their history and today multicultural metropolis. For this reason, every episode of racism or ethnic intolerance, such as those that occurred recently in Paris, Brussels and Italy, is to be condemned with the utmost severity. We must stop the formations that are inspired by the extreme right and sympathize with Hitler and all the organizations that reject democracy and the free expression of the vote, as happened in the USA and Brazil. Racism and anti-Semitism must be fought from the first years of our children's lives, by families, schools, sports, recreational and cultural groups. But if they return to pollute with structured organizations, our lives must be cut off with hardness and without the slightest tolerance, starting right from here, from the high European institutions. Deadly subcultures that risked to overwhelm the whole of humanity in the last century, cannot and must not find space today in our Europe.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Matteo Messina Denaro, the mafia boss, has been arrested in Italy today and is considered one of the most dangerous fugitives in the world. It is excellent news, a victory of honest citizens, the judiciary and law enforcement against the damned cancer called mafia and against all those political and business forces that have had to do with the mafia, so much so that some of their important exponents condemned for mafia. Yet, on such an important day, we must ask ourselves how it is possible for a boss to remain at large for thirty years after oppressing millions of Sicilians. Thirty years unpunished. And how it is possible that he was free in a clinic in the center of Palermo like any other citizen. How is it possible, who covered up this vicious criminal until this morning? And why? And why, even after this arrest for which the interceptions were fundamental, as indeed to discover the Quatargate, in Italy there are those who would like to limit them, why? Dear colleagues, it is time to accelerate with the European Anti-Mafia Prosecutor's Office and to work together to defeat the mafia culture, the culture of oppression, corruption, silence and opaque political ties. Honest Italians are doing their part, let Europe do it too, let this palace do it, let all of us do it too.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, what a deep and grave disgrace this building is today! How many billions of euros does this building cost? How much does it cost for each individual citizen? How many billions of euros do we cost? And how many billions of dreams, wishes, hopes for a better life do European citizens entrust to this Parliament? Those billions of dreams have been betrayed, the pact of trust with citizens has been tarnished. We saw bags of money at the home of colleagues, former colleagues, trade unionists, representatives of NGOs. They looked like the kidnappings being done to drug dealers and mobsters. Mountains of cash. Shame on you! It is a terrible day and I ask all of you, from President Metsola down, to react strongly but not only with words, with deeds! We need a corrupt law in Europe too, we need very tough rules, we need to punish the perpetrators today, but we also need to create conditions so that no one can steal the future of European citizens, their trust and their money in this way. Let us throw out of this building the corrupt, the corrupters and the very possibility of corrupting in the future, otherwise this Parliament will no longer have any reason to exist.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, this House, this institution, costs European citizens billions of euros every year, and billions of hopes, desires and different visions of the future also depend on our work and on how we honour the trust that has been given to us. The news of these days, the sacks of money hidden in the house as in the worst comedies and the total disrespect towards European citizens who lobbyists from third countries, together with unfaithful Members, former Members, collaborators and trade unionists have shamelessly demonstrated, are one of the saddest and most disgusting pages of this institution. The dishonesty of some cannot destroy the good work of others, it is true, but here there are 450 million Europeans to defend, protect, respect. We prove to be superior to this crap with facts and create more efficient anti-corruption systems, otherwise this palace, this institution and, therefore, all our work will no longer make sense.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, rural areas are an essential aspect of the European way of life and are fundamental to the economic, social and environmental functioning of our society. They are home to 137 million people. Despite their strengths, rural areas, particularly remote and less developed ones, and there are many in Sicily and Sardinia, face significant challenges that are difficult to overcome if they are not adequately supported. This is why the European Green Deal must open up new opportunities, in particular as regards the transition to a low-carbon economy. We value these areas so important in ensuring our production and our food autonomy, safeguarding our natural resources, our landscapes and our biodiversity, as well as our cultural heritage. It is therefore good that there is a rural action plan, but be careful not to leave it isolated like a totem. On the contrary, the development of rural areas must be harmonized with that of urban areas, for which it is indispensable.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, there is only one word that should resonate in this building today when it comes to immigration: Shame on you. Shame on you, shame, honte, vergüenza. Because it is shameful that even today it is the country of first landing, Italy, to have to face alone an epochal phenomenon that concerns the whole of Europe. The Strait of Sicily is the border between Africa and Europe, not an Italian border. Yet Italy alone commits ships, men, money, means. The police unions, SEAP in the lead, have been denouncing for years how many of our best agents are forced to leave our cities unguarded, because Italy alone has to manage tens of thousands of arrivals. Talking about relocations is a hypocritical way to divert attention, it is before you need money, means and men from all European countries. President von der Leyen, we trusted you because you promised to cancel the Dublin agreements. After three and a half years, nothing has been done. It is necessary to fight human traffickers, save lives, but it must be done like Europe, not by dumping everything on Italy. Talking about a united Europe will be a shameful hypocrisy until it is united in dealing with mass immigration. And until then the word to say will be only one: Shame on you.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, since 2016, this Parliament has been discussing the crucial importance, for the environmental and economic balance of our seas, vulnerable marine areas and how best to preserve them, but after so many years, despite the steps already taken, we are still here to discuss them rather than act. And it is wrong, indeed inconceivable, for at least three reasons. One: a legislative reason, since this is an implementing act that was to enter into force as early as 2018. A political reason, because already on 9 October we expressed, by voting theOcean government resolution, our position. And then there is an environmental reason, because by definition these are the most vulnerable marine areas, with ecosystems that take even a hundred years to regenerate. It is enough to discuss, defend our seas, preserve the future of our fishermen, because defending the seas helps healthy and sustainable fishing and it is important to defend our fishermen, their children and the culture linked to fishing and the care of the sea.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the Good Food Good Farming initiative tells us that almost one in three European citizens has hair contaminated with pesticides: This is alarming, revealing the enormous contamination of land and water. The Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies for 2030 indicate a 50% reduction by 2030, but many states are behind in accepting the proposed regulation that sets constraints for Member States. Italy has a national plan expired since February 2019 and the Draghi government seems not to have grasped the importance of the ecological transition, which also passes from a cultural revolution regarding crops and livestock. We have a duty to explain to citizens how important it is to clean our agriculture and therefore our waters, our blood, our hair from pesticides and all kinds of poison. It is a transition that will benefit everyone and that can also be a business and relaunch agriculture instead of drowning it, as those who do not want to change anything say. But we need courage, vision and resources. Does Europe have them? You want to spend it?

(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I find positive an approach to managing the pandemic that gradually goes from a state of emergency to a more sustainable way, which can protect public health but at the same time can keep society and the economy open and resilient. However, it is not yet clear how European public and private research will be promoted, nor how EU-funded and independent studies will be taken into account. That is why I find it necessary for the Commission to show the way for all Member States to have the necessary financial and organisational capacities and supplies to manage both increases in COVID-19 cases and those of potential other diseases that would put a strain on the resilience of national health systems. We must guarantee and ensure the health but at the same time the freedom of citizens, adopting a single protocol, standard, also with regard to any limitations that we hope will never happen again. I asked this in February 2020 with an urgent question. It hasn't arrived and I hope it arrives and arrives immediately.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the ecological disaster that hit the Oder River this summer must make us understand that we no longer have time to wait for a gradual abandonment of bad practices in terms of pesticides or wastewater management. The management of such an important river, which starts from the Czech Republic and then creates a natural border between Germany and Poland, must be an example and a warning for all of Europe. But it's not just the Oder River disaster that has to worry us: all environmental emergencies, the acceleration in climate change, the now unacceptable use of poisons and the unconscious management of water are a wake-up call that none of us can pretend not to hear anymore. This summer's drought in Europe has increased salinity and decreased the oxygenation of waterways, causing enormous inconvenience to aquatic fauna and flora, with millions of fish dying from these causes. This twelve-year step backwards must push Europe to take strong decisions not only on pesticides and on the management of industrial waste disposal, in order to avoid new disasters that will affect biodiversity and agricultural production for years, but on all the management of that immense heritage without which life would not be possible, that is, water. To make humanity understand that water, the source of life, is today as precious as and more than oil must be one of Europe's main objectives in the next ten years.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, in Italy citizens are unable to do their shopping and businesses are closing down and laying off workers, exacerbating the crisis. And that's why? Because astronomical bills arrive, unworthy, crazy in relation to the standard of living of Italians and Europeans all. What does Europe do to help them? He stammers, he takes time, he wastes time. But the crisis does not wait for Europe's long time: epochal investments are needed to push clean energy sources, to emancipate us from the violent blackmail of the cost of Russian gas and beyond. And in the meantime, for the immediate, we need courageous choices, we need the will and the ability to react hard and make powerless those who today have the power to blackmail us. With the chatter of Europe, citizens and businesses do not pay their bills, but die. Stop talking, colleagues, stop talking, Mr von der Leyen: It is time for Europe to act and demonstrate that it exists and protects citizens, businesses and the environment, rebelling with concrete actions against this crap and creating a new era that, if it does not start today, unfortunately may never start again.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, President von der Leyen strongly praised Superbonus 110, an Italian measure defined by revolutionary Europe, an ecological transition that creates development and jobs while protecting the environment. Unfortunately, since November 2021, this measure has been subjected to a frontal attack by the Draghi government. By changing the rules in the race, the circulation of credits has been blocked, penalizing companies and depriving them of the liquidity to work. There is a risk of an unprecedented economic and social catastrophe. Intesa Sanpaolo denounces 16 billion in committed loans and four disbursed. The blocked credits would amount to tens of billions, that is, tens of thousands of companies destroyed, hundreds of thousands of jobs wiped out. I call on Europe to use every means of deterrence permitted by the Treaties towards the Italian Government, to whose sense of responsibility I appeal: immediately reactivate the channels of companies owned by the State, Italian Post Office and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, respect the pact with companies, which are giving an unprecedented boost to GDP. Italy signed agreements on the ecological transition at the G20 in December 2020 and this measure goes in that direction. We had the first suicides of entrepreneurs destroyed by these wicked choices. Before the whole of Italy is killed, unlock the circulation of credits, thus avoiding the ruin for hundreds of thousands of Italians.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, tens of thousands of hectares of Sardinia suffer a progressive invasion of locusts that devour 200-250 tonnes of vegetables a day. It is one of the most serious infestations of recent decades and the causes are mainly to be found in desertification linked to land abandonment and climate change. I have also said on other occasions that we must rethink the system of incentives and compensation for agriculture and reward those who work the land, rather than providing funds based on mere ownership, because the invasion of celiacs is proliferating on uncultivated land. In Sardinia, a spontaneous committee of farmers has already been set up and their vintage is now in jeopardy. They contacted me personally and I immediately took steps to involve the Commission and the PAFF Committee in calling for the immediate application of the measures provided for in the regulations in force. Pending decisive action to protect against the parasite, we ask that Sardinia be guaranteed the possibility of amending its rural development programme on an extraordinary basis, in order to include effective emergency measures already provided for by the CAP and European legislation to compensate producers for their losses, as well as funding research projects on strategies to combat and coexist with the parasite. We need to move now. Sardinian farmers cannot wait or the damage will be irreparable.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, sixty years of the CAP, the objective of which should be precisely to support agriculture and farmers, ensuring healthy, quality food that is sustainable for the environment, capable of creating wealth and jobs, as well as combating climate change. With the war in Ukraine there is a risk of earthquake to the entire European and world food system, and we must respond to this risk by drastically reducing our dependence on foreign supplies and helping self-sufficiency, especially with regard to wheat, in European countries, Italy in the lead, which also means carefully managing fertilizers and pesticides. On the other hand, someone is trying to take advantage of the war to go back to practices that are disastrous from an environmental point of view – I am talking about pesticides and not only that – that would cause damage to both farmers and consumers, i.e. to all European citizens. Then you need courage. CAP money is our money, our billions of euros, which must be used to move forward, not backward, to support our farmers, stimulate excellent production, encourage organic farming and protect citizens. Never step back, let's look forward and use our money well.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, today we remember Sir Plumb, knowing that organic is the only way to environmental protection, food safety and greater independence from non-EU producers, as well as the prevention of damage caused by unhealthy products to the health of citizens. We must therefore be ambitious, demanding targets such as a minimum of 25% of organic production and a genuine ban on harmful pesticides. Italy is already at 20% of organic, Sicily at 22%. So it's possible. So we reward producers, we give more money to Sicilian, Sardinian, Italian or any other European region farmers who are really virtuous, who really do organic. Stop helping those who don't deserve it. After years of pandemic and war we are living on our skin how much it costs us to depend on other producing countries of which we often import poor quality products that lower the price of our excellence. It is a system that does not work and that it is up to us to change to make it functional to a happy future for us and for our children. It takes courage and hands free. Do we have them, ladies and gentlemen?

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I do not know if you realise what is happening: We have a war and we have jackals who exploit the infamous war promoted by Putin to get rich, raising the price of energy and bringing entire families, businesses, sectors that count millions of workers to their knees. In Sicily and Sardinia, as in many areas of Europe, the situation is at an end: Farmers, fishermen, truck drivers are on their knees for the dear energy. So let's stop with palliative care now: It is time to make ourselves self-sufficient from an energy point of view and not by flouting rubbish like nuclear, but by promoting with a lot of European money the really clean sources, wind, solar and marine in the first place. Who is afraid of offshore installations that exploit wind and sea currents? Who? Perhaps those who want to stop the green transition like to be under the heel of Putin and his oligarchs. European citizens don't want to! Europe wants clean energy and complete independence from the owners of fossil fuels. Now! Not when it's too late or another war breaks out.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, this unfortunate and bloody war cannot be paid for by the citizens of Europe. We depend too much on imported hydrocarbons and raw materials and we must work to ensure that European agriculture is soon self-sufficient and sustainable, while remaining safe for consumers. We encourage domestic production, especially wheat, corn and sunflower. We give resources that make it convenient to grow and process the product here. Let's stop the bad habit of importing below cost wheat, which we do not always have certainty of quality – glyphosate laws – to lower the price of local wheat in a perverse market game where we lose farmers and only multinationals gain. We restore those who have suffered losses, we help those who want to produce virtuously, making us independent of Russian and Ukrainian raw materials, but without even thinking of using war to betray the work done so far on organic, the limitation of pesticides, sustainability and the defense of biodiversity. Today we are called to a great responsibility, we have in our hands the future of millions of European citizens and their children. We can't back down or look the other way.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, despite the studies and efforts made by the European Parliament, the European directives on animal welfare have made it possible to achieve structural changes in certain farming methods – directives on laying hens, pigs and calves – but they have had little impact if we evaluate the general directive and the directive on birds. Inhomogeneity seems to be the most important limit within the Union: the Directives do not specify in detail the requirements on how to comply with the rules and control, with unacceptable consequences. European animal welfare labelling schemes, mostly private, are all voluntary and in fact very different in terms of their functioning and design, and there is also no prospect of mandatory and equal labelling in the EU. The Commission is therefore proceeding with directives to increase their effectiveness, improve their readability and accuracy and standardise Member States. The health crisis reveals the importance of proper management of farms, also for our and our children's health. We listen to practitioners and doctors to find a definitive, pragmatic and realistic approach to both breeding practices and commercial practices.

Mr President, the Nutrition World Summit held in Japan last week was a crucial moment to discuss the future of food and nutrition at a global level. We all know nowadays how important nutrition is, but also how present is the malnutrition issue. For this reason we, as the EU, must commit on a three-strategy focus: health, food and resilience. 149 million children under five are stunted, 49 million are under weight, but another 40 million suffer obesity. The EU must stand as leader for nutrition in all terms – know-how, sustainable and healthy consumption of resources, promotion of European diets such as the Mediterranean one – the Italian one – as good practices, and also an efficient programme directed at those areas where children don’t have access to food. We have an ambitious goal now. No more children dead. No more disease by malnutrition. No more waste of food. In 2021 it’s time to act, and not to talk anymore.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the CAP is one of the points that gives meaning to the very existence of Europe. We are not satisfied with the too many downside compromises, we would have liked an immediate and clearer change. But keeping the old CAP would have been suicide for European farmers and consumers. There are important steps forward. The stop to money for those who exploit workers, and it is a great result. The concept of animal welfare is introduced and we will fight for it to be truly respected more and more and against all cruelty. But we must do more for hemp, the plant of the future, and above all we must focus on agriculture as a pillar of the ecological transition and therefore of our future. 60 % of the resources for green architecture, 25 % for ecoschemes, which we would have wanted to be mandatory and which we will have to make compulsory, and 4 % of the inactive hectares for us are just the beginning of a green revolution, which must be carried out together with farmers, especially small ones, and not against them. National plans and future trade agreements with other economies must provide for compliance with stringent ecology standards. Never again import products that do not meet the standards that we impose on our manufacturers. There is a rich green future for our Europe and it is up to us to achieve it.