b"GIANT VIEWSBY: FRANCO BRAZZABENIILLEGALITY IN AGRICULTUREIS DAMAGING THE ENTIRESUPPLY CHAIN and in terms of public perception of theMORE CAN BE DONEentire system. All links in the chain, fromAll actors in agricultural production sys-the farmer to the consumer, are affected. tems are taking initiatives to counter the phenomenon, each in their own sphere of SERIOUS DAMAGE FOR THEaction. For example, the seed world has ENTIRE SUPPLY CHAIN launched 'Road to quality', a project recently Illegality, in its various forms, penalises allpresented to the Chamber of Deputies, to players in the production systems. First andensure quality and traceability of horticul-foremost, farmers, who risk using input fac- tural products from seed. This will protect tors that are not controlled and therefore ofconsumers and companies in the sector dubious efficacy. For example:from fraud, guaranteeing the Italian origins eeds that are not certified by law in termsof products. A computer system and block-of quality and phytosanitary aspects, aschain technology manage the information well as varietal identity, making it impos- on each batch. By scanning a QR code, it is Franco Brazzabeni sible to guarantee product traceability andpossible to access the entire path taken by origin;the various products.fertilisers and phytopharmaceuticalsAssosementi, the largest Italian seed F ebruary2023:theCentralsmuggled in and placed on the marketassociation, has been engaged for years in Investigative Unit of the Italianwithout the control of the producingthe defense and enhancement of certified Ministry of Agriculture (ICQRF)companies.seed, as a starting point for traceability, a discovers a multi-million Euro fraud inAs a result, seed companies losefundamental value for every food.Caserta, regarding the false marketing ofresources to reinvest in plant research andAssosementi collaborates with the almonds and tomatoes, declared organic.see their turnover drop, as do agrochem- authorities, the politicians, the professional As a result, the Public Prosecutor's Officeical companies and traders in agriculturalorganizations of farmers, and the commer-of Santa Maria Capua Vetere investigatesproducts. The processing industry and largecial structures and the processing industry, seven people for criminal conspiracy aimedretailers are unable to ensure the origin ofto create operational synergies in the fight at ideological forgery and aggravated fraud.the product and its health. All this reflectsagainst illegality.Early March 2023: the Italian Guardiaon consumers, that is, on all of us. We areSince illegalities are a threat to the di Finanza seized 380 tonnes of wheatdeprived of some of the most sought-afterentire supply chain, the most effective seed in Puglia and Sicily, for which the fairrequirements in the food we buy, namelyaction can only be conceived and imple-remuneration to the breeder had not beenthe guarantee of origin and the conform- mented in a joint and concerted manner. paid, also detecting illicit blending withity of the various processes that take placeThe supply chain policy, which is beginning uncertified wheat by some grain traders.from the field to the table, as well as beingto yield important results in organisational, Mid-March 2023: at the port ofexposed to the risks of fraud and counterfeitstructural and commercial terms, must also Genoa, Italy, the Italian Customs Agencybrands.find a common strategy in the fight against officials stop and sanction an illegal importIn addition, illegality is to be consid- illegality. of seven tonnes of pesticides declared asered a damage to society because of the tax fertilisers.evasion that accompanies it; to public healthEditors Note: Franco Brazzabeni is Commercial The list could go on and on. Agri-foodand the environment, due to non-compli- and marketing consultant in the interna-piracy is a sad reality that expresses itselfance with the laws; and not to mention totional agribusiness, Member of the Board in various forms and affects various sectors,public order, since organised crime is oftenof Assosementi, and writes a blog on www.causing significant damage, both economicbehind these facts. agrinotes.it 64ISEED WORLD EUROPEIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM"