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The Political Response to the COVID-19 Crisis in Italy: A First Assessment for the National Food System

Author

Listed:
  • Francesca Curcio

    (Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

  • Davide Marino

    (Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to explore the policies that have been implemented and planned in relation to the impacts that the COVID-19 health crisis has had on the Italian food system. This is an evaluation exercise useful to understand what the directions imprinted on the food system will be in relation to some frameworks of particular importance at the international level, such as the 2030 Agenda, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Biodiversity Strategy, the UN Food Summit, and the agroecological perspective. The article is divided into multiple sections. In paragraph 1.1 and 1.2, the shocks generated by COVID-19 in the global context and in the Italian national context are examined. In both, attention is drawn to changes in GDP, employment, poverty, and the food system. In paragraph 2, the methodological approach, based on the DPSIR model, is explained, as well as the materials used for the drafting of the work. From paragraph 3.1 to 3.4, all of the components (Driving Forces, Pressures, States, Impacts) of the DPSIR model are analyzed. In paragraph 3.5, attention is focused on all policy responses implemented during COVID-19, both on the Italian and European side. In paragraph 4, a detailed analysis of the Italian responses is made in order to fully understand the degree of influence on the Italian economy and food system. The analysis carried out, therefore, highlights the socioeconomic threats faced by the Italian government and the main measures adopted to counter them. Through a critical analysis of policies, it was possible to identify their criticalities and propose possible integrations, starting from the concept of “syndemia”. This concept was introduced in the 1990s by Merril Singer, and in this paper, it plays an important role because it takes into account the negative effects of the pandemic at the economic, health, and social levels and the importance of the sustainability of the food chain.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Curcio & Davide Marino, 2022. "The Political Response to the COVID-19 Crisis in Italy: A First Assessment for the National Food System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:12:p:7241-:d:837849
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Landert & Christian Schader & Heidrun Moschitz & Matthias Stolze, 2017. "A Holistic Sustainability Assessment Method for Urban Food System Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-21, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Warren S. Vaz, 2022. "COVID-19 Impact on the Energy Sector in the United States (2020)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-23, October.

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