(Teleborsa) - In her video message to the 24th International Forum on Agriculture and Food of Coldiretti, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni claimed to have put "agriculture at the centre of national policies, with structural reforms and unprecedented investment, over 17 billion euros in 4 years". Today, she said, "our agriculture is the first in Europe for added value, agri-food exports are surpassing every record, farm income is growing again".Costs and supportThe government had to face "never-before-seen emergencies", amid international crises, market tensions and rising costs, responding "with concrete measures": tax credit on agricultural fuels, incentives for the purchase of fertilisers, extraordinary support to offset fertiliser price increases and suspension of European import duties on the main nitrogen fertilisers. "More needs to be done and we are working on it, but I want to send a clear message to farmers: the Government is here and will continue to stand by their side".EuropeMeloni recalled having "thwarted the cuts proposed by Brussels", raising resources for Italy to 10 billion. "Even at the latest European Council, we maintained our position: we will not accept that the next EU budget could downsize the Common Agricultural Policy, fisheries and cohesion, because they are essential policies for European strategic autonomy". The issue has become one of the key points of the platform of the 17 member states "Friends of Cohesion". Italy will continue to fight for reciprocity in trade: "Those who want to sell on the European market must comply with rules comparable to those demanded of our producers."Synthetic food and healthAmong the battles shared with Coldiretti is the one against lab-grown food: "Italy has chosen to be at the forefront, banning the production and marketing of food and feed obtained from cell cultures. When it comes to food and health, the utmost attention must be guaranteed to safety and transparency". Meloni promoted "good food and the Mediterranean diet, fundamental prevention tools", praising "Campagna Amica per la Salute", which brings farmers' markets into hospitals.The closing is an appeal to identity: "Defending Italian agriculture means defending Italy, and defending the quality of our food means defending the future of our children".