Lazio Region recognizes 5 new biodistricts. This reinforces the conversion to organic of a large portion of the regional territory, supporting its efforts, including economic ones, with a 400-thousand-euro call for promotion.
Lazio’s 5 new biodistricts
The Latium Region approved biodistricts regulations in February 2021, and between 5 and 8.10.21 it approved 5 recognition resolutions:
1) Castelli Romani, with territorial scope in the municipalities of Colonna, Grottaferrata, Frascati, Marino, Monte Porzio Catone and Rocca di Papa;
2) Lake Bolsena, falling within the municipalities of Acquapendente, Latera, Gradoli, San Lorenzo Nuovo, Bolsena, Grotte di Castro, Cellere, Celleno, Montefiascone, Canino, Farnese, Piansano, Bagnoregio, Ischia di Castro, Capodimonte, Marta, and Valentano;
3) Roman Etruscan; pertaining to the municipalities of Fiumicino, Cerveteri and the entire Roman Littoral State Nature Reserve.
4) Comino Valley; with already about 80 farms, pastoral and livestock farms converted to organic farming,
5) Via Amerina and Via delle Forre. A territory that winds, proceeding from south to north, between three distinct geomorphological domains: the volcanic districts of north-central Latium, the Tiberina valley, and the first reliefs of the pre-Apennines when one reaches Umbrian territory. Here already 6 municipalities have banned the use of glyphosate, despite pressure and appeals to administrative justice from Assofrutti, Coltivatori diretti and other agricultural associations. And they complain about the damage of intensive monoculture of hazelnut groves (by Ferrero), which use a lot of chemicals and consume too much water.
The requirements of biodistricts
Biodistricts are ‘territories for which organic farmers, processors, consumer associations and local authorities have entered into and signed protocols for the dissemination of the organic method of cultivation, for its popularization and for the support and enhancement of sustainable management including activities other than agriculture‘, explains Lazio Region’s Councillor for Agriculture, Forestry, Promotion of the Food Chain and Culture, and Equal Opportunities, Enrica Onorati.
Recognition from the Lazio Region is considered by the Biodistrict Lake Bolsena Promoting Committee‘an epoch-making breakthrough for the sprawling area of more than 1,000 km2 and some 60,000 inhabitants around the large volcanic lake,’ which has also been contaminated by microplastics, as previously reported.
‘An area that will see its historical and productive identity revitalized and enhanced, with the primary objective of spreading the culture of agroecology and organic farming; indispensable tools, these, to safeguard biodiversity, a value that fortunately still characterizes the area of upper Tuscia.’
Regional contributions
All biodistricts, even if newly recognized, can participate by 10.11.21 in the call published by the Lazio Region on 9/27.21, which allocates 400,000 euros of resources from the regional budget.
Regional funds are allocated for the promotion of projects aimed at the development of organic farming, the rational use of raw materials and energy resources, the reduction of the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and the promotion of the entire agrifood chain. And to support information and development activities through market studies, food education actions, participation in fairs, publication of materials or creation of websites.
Cover image from photo by Chiara Ernandes, Biodistrict of the Via Amerina and the Forre
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
