Brussels – “We are ready to deal with the commission as it is already known in Brussels. But, with all due respect, what is “problematic” is the European choice not to proceed in a timely manner in the full implementation of Regulation 1169 on labeling. For too long, Brussels hasn’t chose and does not decide on this strategic point. We respect European choices and are ready to make a useful contribution, but we have no intention of halting ourselves anymore. From February we’ll experiment labeling for grain and rice as we did for milk. When we made this choice, of course, we have evaluated all the consequences, including open discussion at communitarian level. But we go on knowing that Italy has the right / duty to opearate this way in order to protect its consumers and its producers. Indeed, we say to the Commission to give consumers maximum transparency on food by extending the obligation to indicate origins throughout Europe. We are ready”. So stated the Minister of Agricultural Food and Forestry Policies Maurizio Martina. (9colonne)