by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: Stefano Zannier, Councilor for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; Fabio Vitale, Director of Agea
Italy’s national agricultural payments agency AGEA, the Regional Paying Body of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (OPR FVG), and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen institutional cooperation in managing funds under the current EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding period (2023–2027). The agreement aims to streamline administrative procedures, improve the quality of controls, and enhance services for the agricultural and forestry sector.
The protocol establishes a framework for data sharing, common standards, and the field testing of advanced technologies, including drones and artificial intelligence. Coordination will be handled by AGEA Coordinamento, AGEA Digital, the Region’s Rural Development Service, and the Regional Management Authority.
Regional Councilor Stefano Zannier, responsible for agri-food, forestry, and fisheries resources, described the agreement as a strategic alliance to accelerate the modernization of CAP processes. He emphasized the importance of sharing procedures, tools, and expertise—particularly in the area of territorial information systems—to improve efficiency and reduce the cost of developing new solutions.
AGEA Director Fabio Vitale stated that the protocol reinforces a broader paradigm shift toward a federated model of administrative excellence. He cited software reuse, faster procedures, simplified payments, and the activation of an anti-fraud platform across all paying bodies as key objectives.
Activities will be governed through subsequent implementation agreements. The protocol will remain in force until the conclusion of the CAP 2023–2027 programming period, with designated institutional representatives from each party coordinating all projects.
