Prospettive di introduzione delle coltivazioni transgeniche nel sistema produttivo agricolo italiano

Summary Prospects in introducing GM plants in the Italian agricultural production system (JEL: Q18) The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the willingness of the Italian farmers and consumers respectively, to cultivate GM plants and to buy GM foods. In Italy is not allowed, at the moment, the cultivation of GM plants. Notwithstanding GM foods are normally present on the Italian market, which is strongly dependant from foreign markets especially for soy bean based foodstuffs primarily containing GMO. The study indicates that only 18% of the Italian farmers are interested in cultivating GMO, mainly in the cereal and livestock sector where GM products are strongly utilized as feeding stuffs for animals. The consumers that declare to be favorable to GMO are 3% while 8% consider Italian agriculture to be somehow affected by GM presence. To the majority of the Italian consumers, particularly when buying beef filet and chicken food, it is more important the information regarding the fact that animals have been raised and fed with GMO – free feeding stuffs rather than the price of the products itself. Within this framework, the opportunity and consequent choice of not cultivating GM plants seems, therefore, sustainable when considered on an overall supply chain approach aiming to offer a highly qualified product or, as in the case of animal feed stuffs, obtained without utilizing GMO.