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 This
is the second issue of the International Edition of A.S.A. Associazione
Stampa Agroalimentare Newsletter. The A.S.A. has published 81 Italian-language
bulletins on a weekly basis but, for now, the International English-language
version will be issued monthly.
This newsletter is published in association with our twin organization,
the GUILD OF FOOD WRITERS in Great Britain (www.gfw.co.uk),
and we hope this connection will continue to grow further in the
future.
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Salone
Del Gusto: Two Events and the Whole World in a Nutshell (well, almost).
Italy
Tops the List: the EU Officially Recognizes 173 Italian DOP and
IGP products.
Milan
EXPO 2015: A.S.A. Opens a Window on Its Website.
Brazil:
Young Cariocas Have Fallen in Love with Italian Wine.
Are
Anti-Cancer Tomatoes just a Chimera?
Immigration:
1 Agricultural Worker in 10
Food
Distribution Report
Salone
Del Gusto: Two Events and the Whole World in a Nutshell (well, almost).
 The
Region of Piedmont, City of Turin and Slow Food launched a project
at the October Salone del Gusto in Turin on low environmental impact.
This was part of the initiatives created for Turin’s role
as 2008 World Design Capital, and was developed in conjunction with
the department of Industrial Design at the Polytechnic University
of Turin.
The project was inspired by research done at the last Salone in
2006 when it was discovered that only 17% of the 190 tonnes of rubbish
was correctly separated for collection and recycling purposes. The
organisers felt there was considerable dissonance between the container
(the Salone) and its contents (produce which can be described as
‘wholesome’, ‘clean’, ‘correct’).
Their goal was thus to reduce the environmental impact of the two
2008 events (the Salone Internazionale del Gusto and Terra Madre)
by around half in order to progressively reach the goal of “zero
impact” in 2012.
So, for the first time worldwide, a food fair was planned using
so-called ‘systemic design’, an approach that originates
from the observation of the natural world, where every surplus is
re-used in the system. 50% of building and exhibition materials
were made up of Celenit, a paste of mineralized wooden wool and
concrete with no chemical treatment, and re-usable for street building
once the Salone had finished. There were fewer large signs, and
80% of these were made of material that was both recycled and recyclable.
Other important points were: no use of moquette carpet; removable,
chemical-free paint; eco-friendly packaging for food consumed at
the Salone and biodegradable bags which could be composted. The
electricity needed for the event came from the national grid, but
an equal quantity of ‘green’ energy was returned in
exchange.
These measures prevented 65 tonnes of rubbish from being simply
thrown away, and 600 tonnes of Co2 from being released into the
atmosphere.
However, the ambitious project to save 45 tonnes of rubbish could
not have been achieved without the help of the public who were strongly
encouraged to become environmentally aware. The remaining 1,000
tonnes of Co2 will be offset by a project to protect biodiversity
in the River Po.
These low environmental impact projects were carried out with the
help of leading Piedmont companies: Zeri, AzzeroCo2, Marcopolo environmental
group, CAMST, Sotral, Ristoeco, Fiat Group, GTT, Seag, Agenzia Mobilità
Metropolitana Torino, Smat, Lurisia, ReAcademy, Iwas, Consorzio
Nazionale Riciclo Imballaggi Acciaio, Comieco, Amiat, Novamont and
Set Up. From: www.press.slowfood.it/press
[Index]
Italy
Tops the List: the EU Officially Recognizes 173 Italian DOP and
IGP products.
 Italy
now has protected 173 products, the highest number in Europe, followed
by France (160), Spain (117) and Portugal (114). The new Italian
listings are: Piedmont, with Tinca Gobba Dorata (a fish) dell'Altopiano
di Poirino DOP; Liguria, with Acciughe salate (salted anchovies)
del Mar Ligure IGP; Veneto, with Casatella Trevigiana DOP (a soft
cheese); Campania, with Cipollotto Nocerino DOP (a small onion)
and Marrone di Roccadaspide IGP (chestnuts); Basilicata, with Pane
di Matera IGP (bread); Calabria, with Cipolla di Tropea IGP (onion);
Sicily, with Salame Sant'Angelo IGP. In the South, Campania and
Sicily lead with 16 specialties each, Puglia has 12 and Calabria
has 11. Elsewhere, Emilia Romagna has 26, Veneto 24, Lombardy 21,
Tuscany 19 and Piedmont 6. By contrast, Liguria, Valle d'Aosta,
Friuli Venezia Giulia and Molise only have a handful of protected
products.
A breakdown of products shows that the number of protected vegetables,
fruit and cereals has risen to 56 (13 DOPs and 43 IGPs), followed
by extra virgin olive oil (37 DOPs and one IGP), cheese (35 DOPs)
and meat-based products (20 DOPs and 12 IGPs). Other products such
as honey, bread, vinegar, spices and flavourings are covered by
8 DOPs and 4 IGPs. From: www.politicheagricole.it
[Index]
Milan
EXPO 2015: A.S.A. Opens a Window on Its Website.
 The
progress of this major event will be reported in a new section on
the A.S.A. website. This will include details of all plans, and
the timetable and subjects of many of the events. It is hoped this
will stimulate interest and cultural co-operation throughout both
Italy and the rest of the world. The goals and aims of A.S.A. are
to develop the communication side of MILAN EXPO 2015 with the involvement
of specialist committees that draw on our individual and collective
expertise and skills.
A.S.A. has been involved in a considerable number of successful
projects in the fields of agriculture and nutrition. Cooperation
with public and private institutions and associations has shown
the power of synergy in communication. MILANO EXPO 2015 is not just
a normal event; it will be unique in importance, size and worldwide
cooperation. One of the main themes is education, in the true sense
of educere. Italy is proud of its role in promoting civilization,
social harmony, law, research and exploration, history and evolution
of the musical and figurative arts, health and wellbeing, medicine,
natural sciences, food and gastronomy, philosophy, social sciences:
the participation of other countries in the expo, will bring further
civil, human and cultural growth – a wealth of culture, customs,
food, life for each and everyone.
There will be a considerable number of exchange possibilities and
satellite links, and A.S.A. will promote these on its website. Satellite
observation, for example, is being used in a project by Forest Police
in the province of Como. The range of subjects and potential benefits
are considerable. It will not be easy, but we believe we can count
on many friends, journalists, experts, communicators, college teachers
and researchers who will be happy to face the challenge with us.
The project aims to increase our knowledge of culture, science and
technology. The great goal is to provide food for the planet. Especially
good food. Enzo Lo Scalzo is the A.S.A. contact for Milan Expo 2005.
loscalzo.web@asa-press.com
[Index]
Brazil:
Young Cariocas Have Fallen in Love with Italian Wine.
 With
more than 185 million inhabitants and economic growth of 5.4 % in
2007, Brazil is the world’s tenth economy, and because it
has the largest Italian community outside Italy, this country offers
an exciting prospect for Italian wine producers. Andrea Carpi, CEO
of A.C. Marketing & Trade and an expert in the dynamics of international
markets, confirmed the figures: Brazil does not have a long wine-producing
tradition, but the market for alcoholic drinks in general and for
wine in particular is steadily growing. During the last five years,
imports have grown by 20%, and it is estimated about 57.5 million
liters of wine will probably be consumed in 2008, 74.7% of which
will be imported.
In this context, Italy has a market share of 15.9% and is the third
largest importing country, after Chile (32.7%) and Argentine (27.1%);
however, compared to the other two, Italian wine imports tend to
be at the top end of the market. Between 2006 and 2007, imports
have grown by 29.4% in value and by 15 % by volume. In Brazil, wine
consumption is strongly characterized by the seasons; sales peak
in winter (from the mid-June to mid-September) and at festivities
(Easter and Christmas). The San Paolo and Rio de Janeiro regions
account for 50% of total wine consumed.
Brazilian wine drinkers tend to be men and women between 30 and
65 years of age; men prefer still wine, women prefer sparkling.
But the fashion for drinking wine, especially imported wine, is
also growing amongst upwardly mobile 25-30 year-olds with good economic
prospects; these are the most interesting target group for Italian
producers. Most of these consumers are still immature and unprepared;
they are not able to recognize wines and their origin; items like
price and brand still play a leading role; but there is a growing
interest towards wine, and there is an increase in wine courses
and lectures.
In order to broaden wine imports, Italian producers working with
Brazilian importers should invest in promotion, communication and
wine tasting, keeping in mind the image of Italian wine, its tradition
and culture. In Brazil, 70% of wine is sold in supermarkets, 20%
in hotels and restaurants and the remaining 20% in shops. However,
when severe rules on drink-driving were introduced recently, there
was an immediate drop in restaurant wine sales of 35%. The most
important direct buyers for wine (43%) are Pao de Azucar, Carrefour,
Sonae, Casa Santa Luzia e Sendas; the rest of the distributors,
about 100 in all, are mostly in Sao Paolo - Expand, Mistral e Interfood.
By: Andrea Carpi - www.italiaatavola.net
[Index]
Are
Anti-Cancer Tomatoes just a Chimera?
 "Violet-coloured
tomatoes with anti-cancer agents? It is surprising that so much
manpower and money has been invested in vegetable research simply
to produce a chimera, in other words something that is already present
in nature, especially in blackberries and many other berries."
This is what Professor Fabio Firenzuoli, President of ANMFIT (National
Association of Phytotherapeutic Doctors) and lecturer in clinical
Phytotherapy at Florence University has to say about the results
of an international study (The Flora Project) in which the Umberto
Veronesi European Institute for Oncology also took part. The study
is based on a genetic engineering experiment that has created a
tomato particularly rich in antocianins, the antioxidant of the
group of flavonoids that makes up the natural pigment responsible
for the violet colour of many fruits and flowers. After feeding
laboratory mice with the powder of these artificially violet tomatoes
it was noted they lived longer than mice fed with normal tomatoes.
The latter are rich in anticancer substances such as licopene, but
have no antocianins.
"This important project" comments Firenzuoli "is
certainly a fine example of higher research applied to plants. However,
we should also be very worried about the possible consequences on
nutrition and even medicine." And he adds: "It has been
known for some time that antocianins can protect against the growth
of tumours, and there is a large amount on literature on this subject.
But we should question why we should create GM-tomatoes to produce
substances which are already present in nature with no bother and
no risk." Why transform a tomato into a blackberry without
knowing the real advantage? Which ethics committee would ever authorize
a study on the benefits of such products when we already have the
same substances in safe fruit? Who will guarantee they are harmless
if eaten over long periods? By asking these questions, the President
makes the point that the violet tomatoes contain the same antocianins
that are present in many berries, in strawberries and in black grapes.
This non-GM food has always grown freely in our mountains and woods
or has been part of our agriculture. "Instead of employing
precious resources to discover what is already known" says
Firenzuoli, "it would be better to invest them in a vast information
and education campaign that would explain that good, real food is
also rich in protective substances and does not need to be manipulated.
In other words, we should trust nature to be natural.” From:
ANMFIT - anmfit@dada.it
[Index]
Immigration:
1 Agricultural Worker in 10
 About 10%
of people working in Italian agriculture come from outside the European
Community. This is the highest incidence among all economic sectors,
says Coldiretti (the association of agricultural companies), which
has co-operated on the preparation of the 18th Caritas/Migrantes
report on immigration. They say that 98,155 agricultural workers
have been identified as non-EU in the archives of the INPS (National
Health Care). These statistics show - so Coldiretti stresses - the
need of the healthiest and economically most significant agricultural
enterprises to pursue transparency and job quality while at the
same time complying with administrative and economic labour obligations.
Unfortunately, incidences of gangster activity and exploitation
overshadow many regular, law-abiding enterprises.
Most foreign farm workers have come to Italy in order to work on
the land and in agriculture. According to Coldiretti they are mostly
Albanian (15%), Romanian (12%), and Indian (a surprising 10%); the
latter are employed mainly in cattle breeding in the North owing
to their ability to take care of cows. In many branches of agriculture,
immigrant labour has become a necessity, for example harvesting
strawberries near Verona, apples near Trento, fruit in Emilia Romagna,
grapes in Piedmont, tobacco in Umbria and Tuscany or tomatoes in
Puglia. Coldiretti concludes that this shows how immigrants who
are properly employed in agriculture can contribute to the country
and are an indispensable and influential part of the agricultural
economy of the country as well as part of a guarantee for primacy
of food that is ‘Made in Italy’, all over the world.
From: www.coldiretti.it
[Index]
Food
Distribution Report
This major new report from the UK Food Ethics Council was launched
on 9th October. It examines the impact of food distribution networks
on our environment, economy, culture and communities, and their
contribution to climate change. The report offers a sustainable
vision for the future of food distribution, and provides a roadmap
for government, business and civil society to help get us there.
It calls for far-reaching changes to government policy spanning
climate change, transport, planning and school food. It argues that
businesses will be under growing public pressure to prove they can
be trusted ‘choice editors’, taking the responsibility
for consuming ethically off their customers’ shoulders.
The report was covered in the national and trade press, ranging
from the Guardian, which focused on supermarket choice editing and
meat consumption, to Fresh Info, which argued that the report was
parochial. The Fresh Info story was prompted by a reaction to the
report from the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), which said that
“a change in diet can be a more effective means of lowering
an average household’s food-related climate footprint than
‘buying local’.”
“We particularly welcome the FPC’s response,”
said the Food Ethics Council’s Paul Steedman. “It underlines
the growing consensus on this issue. After all, the top headline
from our report was that the biggest reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions from food and farming needs to come ‘from from changing
what we eat and how it is produced rather than from cutting food
miles’. Where we go further is to emphasise that sustainable
development initiatives need also to tackle other environmental,
social and economic problems on top of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
From: www.foodethicscouncil.org
(a Guild of Food Writers contribution)
[Index]
ASA Associazione Stampa Agroalimentare
Italiana
Italian Agriculture and Food Concerns
Press Association
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