Italian Leadership Takes Charge in EU Farming Policy
- Massimiliano Giansanti was elected president of Copa, the EU farmers' unions organization, on September 27, 2023.
- Raffaele Fitto has been appointed as the Commission's executive vice-president, focusing on the food and farming sector's sustainability.
- The increasing presence of Italians in key EU agricultural positions may lead to more Italian-focused policies in the sector.
On September 27, 2023, Massimiliano Giansanti was elected president of Copa, the EU umbrella organization for farmers' unions, highlighting the significant role of Italians in EU agricultural leadership. Historically, the agriculture commissioner position has rarely been held by representatives from major agricultural nations like Italy, France, Spain, and Germany, which together produced 58% of the EU's agricultural output in 2023. However, Raffaele Fitto, an Italian, has been appointed as the Commission's executive vice-president for cohesion and reforms, focusing on enhancing the food and farming sector's competitiveness and sustainability. Additionally, Italian representatives have been appointed as AGRI coordinators in the European Parliament, further solidifying their influence in EU agricultural policy. This shift in leadership dynamics may lead to more Italian-centric policies in the agricultural sector, reflecting the growing importance of Italian voices in EU decision-making processes.