Tomato war, Puglia against Igp request Naples: "We will not retreat one millimeter"
The "tomato war" between Puglia and Campania has erupted. The reaction of the Region, led by Governor Michele Emiliano, trade associations, and local politicians was prompted by the Ministry of Agriculture's publication in the Official Gazette on March 13 of the application for recognition of the "Pomodoro pelato di Napoli" PGI designation, submitted by the canning and processing association Anicav.
"I have already had contact with the Ministry of Agricultural Policies, we are preparing the file and it will be ready soon. We will not retreat even a millimeter", announces the Councilor for Agricultural Policies Donato Pentassuglia, anticipating the will of the Puglia Region to oppose in all venues the request for PGI recognition of the peeled tomato of Naples.
Campania already tried in 2017, but Puglia opposed, in defense of the long tomato from Foggia. Now, following the ministerial investigation, a final draft of the production specification for the protected geographical indication “Pomodoro pelato di Napoli” has been reached. “The outcry will be clear,” continues Pentassuglia, who highlights how “90% of the national production of long tomatoes is concentrated in the Foggia area.” Puglia has 60 days from registration to file an objection: “There is no doubt that we will do so, the file is almost ready,” reiterates Pentassuglia. But the defense of the Apulian tomato that comes from the Regional Council is transversal. From the benches of the majority and the opposition comes a clear “no” to the Campania request.
The Coldiretti Puglia stands with the Region against the firm 'no' to the request for PGI recognition of the peeled tomato of Naples. The association reiterates its unconditional opposition to the new attempt to obtain community recognition "which does not represent the production reality of the tomato, but only of the transformation". "We must overcome the great ambiguity of marketing a product that can boast such a highly distinctive community brand, without there being any obligation to use agricultural products from the territory from which the indication is inspired. 40 percent of Italian tomatoes - says the president of Coldiretti Puglia, Savino Muraglia - come from Capitanata, which alone produces 90% of long tomatoes. The province of Foggia is a leader in the sector, with 3.500 tomato producers who cultivate an average surface area of 32 thousand hectares, for a production of 22 million quintals and a gross saleable production of almost 175.000.000 euros".
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