Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Therefore, for the water system, regions (that define the programmes) will have to
find new modalities for integrating all development requirements and subsidies to the
farmers will have a higher environmental valence, for example, supporting them in the
application of water protection plans in nitrate or pesticide vulnerable zones.
In conclusion, in Italy the prevailing instruments in water policies are:
policy instruments for reducing fragmentation at the institutional level with regard to
planning and management water use;
economic instruments for improving the efficiency of the water systems and irrigation
networks; and
voluntary instruments within CAP measures and rural development programmes, for
reducing negative environmental effects of agriculture on water.
In this context, it is important to work on the problem of water costs. In fact, while
the evaluation of pricing systems for drinkable and industrial water is a relatively simple
task, it is more difficult for irrigation — first of all, because there are technical-structural
limits: in Italy, consumption measurement instruments are not spread, so it is not easy to
apply a water price based on water consumption. Moreover, irrigation water pricing has
to consider many factors like the high average consumption for irrigation, the economic
importance of agriculture production and the environmental implications of irrigation
(positive and negative environmental impacts). Finally, it is important not to burden the
agriculture sector, which is very important for the Italian economy, and is characterised
by several weaknesses.
Also, it becomes important to encourage farmers to contribute to the common good
through their voluntary participation in information and sensitisation activities about
environmental protection.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to thank Dr Annalisa Zezza for supporting our work with her experience
and suggestions.
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