Page 211 - Supplemento 2-2016 (ENG)

Tackling Environmental Crime throUgh standardized Methodologies

Closely linked to these issues is the fight against food farming crime: the
safeguarding of resources (above all water and soil) is inextricably linked to the
quality of food. In Italy we are paying particular attention on the production of
quality food (DOP or Protected Denomination of Origin – IGP Protected
Geographical Indication – Organic), an issue that is closely linked to the respect
for the environment and therefore to the sustainable management of resour-
ces.

The investigative activity of the State Forestry Department is achieving
ongoing progress in the fight against the phenomenon of agro-mafia: in fact
numerous criminal organisations are involved in the trafficking and counterfei-
ting of food. Our actions are aimed at safeguarding food and the environment
and consequently the whole food farming chain, which forms an indissoluble
combination.

For these reasons, since 2004, through specialised units (NAF – Food far-
ming and Forest Units) we have taken action against the international traffic-
king of food even on international level (like in the Opson Operation).

The State Forestry Department is actively involved in particular in two
emergencies: Xylella fastidiosa and the Land of Fires.

I have already referred to the Land of Fires. Now I would like to mention
Xylella fastidiosa. This is a bacterium carried by an insect that is currently threa-
tening the destruction of hectares of olive groves in Puglia, threatening to
expand to other areas of Italy and the Mediterranean region: it could cause irre-
versible damage to the local agriculture and the landscape, with devastating
effects both culturally and economically.

The protection of biodiversity is still essential for the safeguarding of our
planet, representing an assumption that to date has never been disproved by the
laws of nature. The Washington Convention for the safeguarding of species of
wild flora and fauna threatened with extinction because of illegal trading has
made a fundamental contribution to the issue.

The turnover of illegal trading in this area has been estimated at between
seven and twenty three million USA dollars.

Environmental criminality poses a threat to biodiversity. In order to safe-
guard it, an adequate surveillance of the protected areas is necessary.

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