Agriculture minister condemns trucker protests, says halting supplies is a crime

(ANSA) - ROME, 16 OTT - Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida on Friday condemned the protests by truckers against soaring fuel prices that have caused disruption and hit supplies in many areas, especially in the southern region of Calabria. "Protesting is legitimate and worthy of respect… but blocking roads to prevent the distribution of goods is a crime," Lollobrigida said via social media. "While I respect everyone's concerns, I find it serious and intolerable that, due to these roadblocks, millions of Italians might find shops lacking merchandise—or facing much higher prices—which would only worsen the situation for many families. "I call for free movement of traffic and the supply of goods be ensured. "Causing harm to others to defend one's own position is wrong. "Many of the products on these trucks—stopped against the will of the drivers—will end up unusable, resulting in economic losses for businesses, workers in the sector, and all citizens. "There is never any justification for breaking the law, and, above all, for causing harm to fellow citizens". Protests by truckers have led to a fuel crisis in the area of the Calabrian city of Cosenza area, where most gas stations have completely run out of petrol and diesel. The blockades of goods resulting from protests in nearby Puglia are causing "consequences that are no longer sustainable for the continuity of production activities," said Cosimo Rummo, head of the pasta company that bears his name—based in the capital of the Sannio region. Protests continued in Calabria on Friday, with lorries occupying the sides of highways without actually blocking traffic, but causing disruption anyway due to the narrowing of the roadway. The protests are on top of the farmers' sit-ins that have been ongoing for days. Pasquale Russo, the head of the Conftrasporto truckers confederation, said Thursday that the nation's lorry drivers may be forced to bring the country to a standstill with a national strike to draw attention to their plight. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has called a meeting with representatives of the road haulage sector for Tuesday, October 27, at 4:00 PM, at the Ministry's headquarters in Porta Pia. The Ministry stated that representatives from the Premier's Office, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Business and 'Made in Italy' will also be invited to attend. (ANSA).
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