A/HRC/43/44/Add.6 We ask you to delete the words “the sole actions” in relation to food charity organizations. In line with comments already made regarding Paras 34 and 35, we have amply explained that food charity organizations, although relevant, are only co-actors in a much more complex system of food aid which includes several institutional actors. (m) Increase monitoring on the use of banned/illegal pesticides, and establish positive incentives/facilitations for organic farming. (n) Promote local products and urban farmers’ markets to ensure that consumers can access better quality food; support organic agriculture and agroecology, through financial mechanisms and training programmes Comments: We ask you to reformulate the recommendations “…establish positive incentives/facilitations for organic farming” and “…support organic agriculture and agroecology, through financial mechanisms and training programmes”. In fact: - organic farming is already a top priority in Italy and all Italian Regions direct relevant CAP resources (under rural development plans) to organic farming specifically; - the new Italian budget Law instituted a specific national fund for organic agriculture and agroecology (value: 4 million euros for 2020, 5 million for 2021 likewise for 2022); - a tax on pesticides has been implemented in Italy for over 20 years (Law n. 488, December 23, 1999) with the specific aim to finance scientific research on organic agriculture (value: approx. 5 million euro/year); - Italy also supports school canteens to grant students of every age appropriate access to organic food. Specific support measures are implemented (with a budget of 10 million euro/year) in favour of families whose children enjoy “organic canteens” (Law n. 96, June 21, 2017 – article 64.5bis). (p) Consider deploying biological solution to address to the Xylella disease and make specific efforts to preserve and protect the diversity of the different types of olive trees in the Apulia region. Comments: Attention must be paid to biological solutions which often have not produced positive results but have contributed to the spread of the bacterium. However, immediate measures must be taken to restore lost rural heritage both for economic and environmental reasons. Final remarks While reaffirming the Italian commitment towards the Special Procedures in general, as well as our long time policy of “standing invitation”, as for the specific case of this draft Report we regret to express our disappointment, since it does not seem to give an appropriate picture of the endeavours of our Country in the field of the Right to Food. Firstly, as outlined above, the Italian Authorities have noted that the oral replies and the additional information provided by them during and after the visit have not been fully considered in your draft Report. In fact, all the concerned Administrations, including the political level, have been fully cooperative and transparent during your visit, and a great deal of paper and research work have been done by quite a number of high-ranking officials. It seems therefore quite surprising to note an insufficient reference to official sources in the draft Report. Furthermore, several negative assessments on the whole agro-alimentary Italian system appear to be unjustified and very generic, even more so since they are not sustained by specific and relevant data. All this while the approach of the Italian Administrations was aimed to favour a more balanced evaluation of the national and European normative context, along with the operational setting of the Italian agriculture system. 21