Scordamaglia: supporting exports is crucial, particularly for Italy

Brussels – “The support for exports is a positive commitment by the Commission”. We meet Luigi Scordamaglia, president of Federalimentare (the Italian Federation of the Food and Drink Industries), shortly after interviewing the European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan before a dinner offered by the Federation at the residence of the Italian ambassador in Belgium, Vincenzo Grassi.

Scordamaglia says that he is in agreement with Hogan. “Until some time ago – he explains – European countries approached foreign markets individually, while the Commission was only concerned with regulating imports. The Commission’s push towards opening new markets is a very positive development, especially for Italy, whose exports were, and sometimes still are, blocked by non-tariff barriers” – that is, norms and rules on standards and products.

“The Commission must understand that globalisation is inevitable and good for the quality of export, provided that it is managed – warns Scordamaglia – and provided that you conclude trade agreements”.

Therefore the president of Federalimentare is very concerned that trade agreements such as TTIP with the USA and CETA with Canada risk not being finalised. “Giving up on these agreements means surrendering and giving the management of markets to other countries, penalising those of us that focus on quality”.