中欧社会论坛 - China Europa Forum

Authors: Angelo Donato Berloco

Date: 2007

1 Reference scenario

The following picture describes rural structures in Europe and highlights the same structural problems as mentioned above that distinguish several areas in a negative manner. The great structural criticality of numerous Italian areas emerges from an analysis of the picture, with particular reference to the Southern regions.

The European agricultural model, based on the concept of multi-functionality, environmental compatibility, economic sustainability, food safety, is a cultural model rather than a technical, economic and social.

Therefore, if the human factor is the element that characterizes the development potential of the agriculture on the new scenarios, the need to encourage the installation of young farmers is one of the prerequisites. In this context it appears crucial for young farmers to overcome the difficulty in obtaining the purchase of agricultural lands, because of the high costs and the non-availability of land to rent.

The importance of an aid scheme for land reparcelling in Italy:

A series of measures has been developed, at national and Community level, with a view to encouraging:

• An increase in the average size of agricultural holdings, connected to the decrease of the parcelling and fragmentation of agricultural holdings;

• The generation turnover with the entry of young people into the agricultural sector;

• The access to medium- and long-term credit for young farmers.

In particular, at domestic level, the application of Ismea’s aid scheme no. 110/2001 allowed, by making use of leaseback contracts:

a.To assure certified and objective land estimates (performed through the application of technical-evaluative transparent and harmonized assessing procedures – with UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 certification), being therefore of non-speculative type and exclusively connected to land productivity and to the profit-making capacity of agricultural holdings, rather than to other extra-agricultural factors;

b.To encourage land assets ownership, in particular by young farmers, through long-term loans. This allowed to encourage the generation turnover and the setting-up or enlargement of efficient agricultural holdings, directed to the improvement of the firm’s structural efficiency and the growth of its competitiveness;

c.To grant the maintenance of the admission requirements and therefore the efficiency of the intervention for at least a minimum term (for instance, contractual obligations: 5-year tenancy; 15-year indivisibility);

d.To improve the transparency of real estate market, thus representing a useful reference point with respect to land price quotations (“price-control effect”).

2 Tasks, aims and contact data of ismea

ISMEA (Istituto di servizi per il mercato agricolo alimentare), is an Italian public economics body which was reformed in 2000 whit the unification of the Fund for the consolidation of the farm land property by the Institute for agricultural market analyses, research and information. In accordance with Presidential Decree n° 200 of 31 March 2001, Ismea works in this sectors: Land reform, as national land organisation and in harmony with Regional programming; Agro-food market analyses, research and information; Commercial promotion of agro-food products on domestic and foreign markets; New insurance and financial instruments and services for farmers and farming associations.

Throughout Italy, ISMEA is involved in land reform in compliance with regional programming objects regarding agricultural and agro-environmental policies. Through land reform programmes and new instruments targeted at the establishment and consolidation of efficient farming businesses – in compliance with domestic regulations and the EU regulations incorporated by the regions in their Regional Operational Programmes - Ismea carries out specific activities aimed at encouraging (Ismea land management support approved by EU Commission, n. 110/2001/Italia): generational exchange in the agricultural sector; development of farming businesses and their continuous structural improvement; transparency and mobility of the rural land market.

In order to implement land aims subject to the opinion of the relevant regional body, Ismea purchases land suitable for reform, development and expansion of farming property, carries out the division into lots and, if required, puts into effect or promotes the required land reform and sells the land to individual farmers or to members of farm lease-hold cooperatives, with subsidised loans, six-monthly repayments over a 30-year period, tax relief and conditional right of domain.

Ismea, to encourage the privatisation of public land suitable for farming, acts as an advisor. Specifically, when appointed by the administrations involved, it evaluates the land and takes direct action in its purchase and sale. It also produces a land reform project based on the typical criteria of the activities involved.

More detailed information about ISMEA is available on Ismea website at www.ismea.it

Our address is ISMEA (ref. Angelo Donato Berloco) – Via Nomentana 183 – 00161 Roma (Italy)

3 Tasks, aims and contact data of aeiar

Ismea is member of AEIAR (ASSOCIATION EUROPEENNE DES INSTITUTIONS D’AMENAGEMENT RURAL), a European association of public institutions and organisations taking measures for the improvement of agricultural structures and rural development.

Now there are 25 five members and the aim of AEIAR is a sustainable exchange of information and experiences. In fact, in 1966 institutions and organizations of the member states of the then called European Economic Community working for public authorities, and recognized as such in their countries, merged into AEIAR. All members have the same objectives: to take measures for the improvement of agricultural structures and rural development. Through exchange of experience and co-operation on a European level, they strive for more efficiency in their work for people living in rural areas.

More detailed information about AEIAR is available on website at www.aeiar.be

The address is AEIAR (ref. Paul Van Der Sluys) – Gulden-Vlieslaan 72 - 1060 Brussels (Belgium)

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