The EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR) is calling for stronger EU action to safeguard European rice production, protect farmers from unfair competition and strengthen the resilience of rice-producing regions. European rice is not only an agricultural product: the sector supports rural economies and jobs, contributes to food security and food sovereignty, and plays an important role in biodiversity and water management. The CoR itself identifies these territorial dimensions as central to its forthcoming opinion.
The message was at the heart of a European Committee of the Regions Local Dialogue held at Risò, the International Rice Festival in Vercelli. The dialogue was organised in the framework of the CoR opinion “The future of the rice sector in Europe: a common strategy”, led by Alberto Cirio (IT/EPP), President of the Piedmont Region, Chair of the Italian delegation to the European Committee of the Regions and CoR rapporteur.
“Europe must protect producers from unfair competition from South-East Asian countries. Our rice is of excellent quality, protects the environment and is produced with respect for the dignity and rights of workers. We are asking Europe to defend Italian and European rice, as representatives of the agricultural sector are also asking us to do, against unfair competition from other countries, particularly South-East Asia, which risks not only impoverishing European farmers but even driving them out of business,” said Alberto Cirio (IT/EPP), President of the Piedmont Region, Chair of the Italian delegation to the European Committee of the Regions and CoR rapporteur on the future of the rice sector in Europe.
Cirio stressed the particular importance of rice production for Piedmont and Italy, noting that Italy produces around half of European rice, with a large share grown in Piedmont. He argued that European producers face competition from imported rice produced under different environmental, social and labour conditions, while EU farmers must comply with some of the world's highest standards. The opinion therefore aims to examine how EU agricultural, trade and environmental policies can better support the resilience, sustainability and competitiveness of European rice-producing regions.
Water management is another central challenge for rice-producing territories. The future of the sector depends on ensuring that farmers and regions can manage increasingly scarce water resources while maintaining agricultural production, protecting ecosystems and adapting to climate pressures. The CoR opinion will address these challenges alongside food security, competitiveness and the environmental role of European rice production.
The Local Dialogue brought the European debate directly to one of Europe's principal rice-producing territories, allowing farmers, agricultural organisations, researchers and regional and local representatives to contribute to the opinion before its adoption. Participants included Italian Minister for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Francesco Lollobrigida, President of the Province of Vercelli Davide Gilardino, Mayor of Vercelli Roberto Scheda, Piedmont Regional Minister for Agriculture Paolo Bongioanni, as well as representatives of Ente Nazionale Risi, AIRI, Confagricoltura, Coldiretti, CIA and the agricultural research community.
The draft opinion is due to be discussed and adopted by the CoR's Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) on 2 October in Toledo, Spain, before proceeding to the European Committee of the Regions plenary.