Coldiretti Treviso praises the substantial work being undertaken by the Organization at the regional level.
The Veneto Council has approved the regulatory act and accepted Coldiretti’s proposed amendments. Specifically, an amendment to Regional Law 17/2022, which governs ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, has further emphasized the role of agriculture in the development of agrivoltaic systems. Coldiretti Treviso acknowledges the diligent efforts that the Organization is carrying out regionally. Essentially, it will now be necessary to demonstrate that the agricultural plan is presented by a registered agricultural entrepreneur, duly listed in the Chamber of Commerce, holding a corporate dossier regularly updated with AVEPA. The farmer must also ensure continuity in agricultural activity, including crop cultivation, productive yield, and agronomic practices, with specific attention to any changes from existing production at the time of installation authorization.
These are crucial issues, – explains Regional President Carlo Salvan, because they mitigate speculative practices and protect cultivated land. Through the amendments approved today, it is asserted unequivocally that the agricultural entrepreneur is the qualified professional to integrate agricultural activities with renewable energy production. The amendment further strengthens the cultivation requirement on the land, ensuring it is substantive and not merely nominal, for the duration of the system, which can extend up to 25–30 years.
We were the first to raise concerns, four years ago, regarding photovoltaic speculation, – Salvan emphasized, and to advocate for clear regulations to prevent speculative activities. Unfortunately, we continue to see proposals for enormous photovoltaic, especially agrivoltaic, projects, which we fear misuse the term ‘agro’ for pure energy business purposes at agriculture’s expense. For this reason, we advocated and secured a reinforcement of regional regulations to protect the agricultural value of our land. This is a significant step forward thanks to the Regional Council’s decision, and we now rely on the Regional Government for prompt implementation of the necessary guidelines.
A second amendment, relevant to Regional Law 28/2012 on agritourism, allows for the restoration of pre-existing, unused buildings, including those with historical value that might otherwise be at risk of abandonment. This is another example of a sustainable approach, – adds Salvan, focusing on the preservation of existing architectural heritage, aligning with broader objectives to reduce land consumption by enhancing existing structures rather than leaving them to neglect.
