b"and sustainable way to combat the effects of climate change and plant diseases, and to boost the productivity of Italian agriculture while protecting the environment and mankind.PRESERVING THE TASTENGTs offer promising solutions for modern agriculture. For vit-iculture, these innovations can lead to the development of dis-ease-resistant grapevine varieties while preserving the unique characteristics of traditional grape cultivars. Such improvements are particularly crucial for meeting regulatory standards and maintain-ing the distinctiveness of Italy's renowned wine industry. Moreover, disease-resistant grapevines could drastically reduce the need for chemical fungicides, cutting applications from the current 1020 treatments per season to just 23, thereby reducing fungicide use by up to 80%.THE PERSISTENCE OF MISINFORMATION Eugenio Tassinari, President of the Italian Seed Association AssosementiColdiretti emphasized that the attack demonstrates the persis-tence of misinformation regarding NGTs and its distinction from GMOs. Genetic improvement through these techniques, enablesunfounded fears that often lead to resistance against new tech-the selection of new plant varieties with enhanced environmentalnologies. Without the support of civil society and policymakers, sustainability, reduced chemical input use, and improved climatescientific progress is at risk of being stifled by outdated prejudices, resilience. Copagri, led by President Tommaso Battista, condemnedslowing down the development of sustainable and effective solutions the act as reminiscent of the darkest periods in history, reiteratingfor the challenges facing modern agriculture.that NGTs have nothing to do with the old genetically modified organisms, as it does not involve the insertion of foreign genes. STOP GEOLOCATIONItalian law currently mandates the geolocation of experimental SENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS fields cultivated with NGTs, but in light of these repeated acts The San Floriano incident underscores the urgent need to enhanceof vandalism, several associationsincluding Cia, Coldiretti, public awareness regarding the importance of agricultural research,Confagricoltura, and Copagriare advocating for the removal Tassinari continued. Disseminating accurate, science-basedof this requirement. Senator Luca De Carlo, president of the information is key to countering misinformation and addressingCommission for Industry, Commerce, Tourism, Agriculture, and 32ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE | MAY 2025"