Lollobrigida Approves Three New Crimes Targeting Agri-Food Fraud

Rome: Farm Minister Francesco Lollobrigida announced on Wednesday the introduction of three new crimes targeting agri-food fraud, linked to the forthcoming budget bill. This initiative marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent practices involving Italian sounding products such as ‘parmisan’ and other deceptive activities within the agri-food sector.

According to Ansa News Agency, the new measures will address key aspects of agri-food fraud. The first crime will focus on ensuring transparency in distribution rules, aiming to provide clearer guidelines and better oversight. The second crime will establish sanctions that are proportional to a company’s turnover, ensuring that penalties are aligned with the scale of the offense. The third measure will recognize the control room for audits, enhancing the effectiveness of checks and balances within the industry.

Minister Lollobrigida emphasized the dual approach of the new measures by stating, “Simplification for honest operators and zero tolerance for those who do not respect the rules.” This approach aims to support compliant businesses while strictly addressing those that engage in fraudulent activities. The announcement was made during a press conference at Palazzo Chigi, where the Minister illustrated the approval of these measures included in the Budget Bill.