An Italian Member of European Parliament (MEP) is blaming cheap wheat exports from Canada and other competitors for the country’s unfolding pasta crisis.
A question submitted to the European Commissioner by MEP Paola Ghidoni names Canada as a culprit among nations engaged in “cut-throat competition” to undercut local industries.
Ghidoni cites a petition launched by farmers across Italy to establish trade boycotts against foreign wheat product imports to protect the Italian market.
According to Ghidoni, “six times as much” wheat has been imported from Canada into Italy earlier this year when compared to the same period in 2022.
“This cut-throat competition from outside Europe jeopardizes both the survival of the Italian supply chain and food safety, since foreign output does not meet the same production standards as European produce,” writes Ghidoni.
The question before the Commission also claims speculation is to blame and calls for the European Union to take “urgent measures” to support local producers.
True North reached out to Global Affairs Canada for a response to Ghidoni’s accusations but did not receive a response by the deadline given.
Italy’s pasta crisis forced the country’s government to recently call an emergency meeting in May as prices for the product rose by 17.5% year-over-year despite wheat prices dropping.
Relations between Italy’s first woman Prime Minister Girogia Meloni and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have been off to a rocky start since she was elected last year.
While meeting with Meloni and others for the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Trudeau took the opportunity to lecture her government over her vocal opposition to gender ideology.
“Obviously, Canada is concerned about some of the (positions) that Italy is taking in terms of LGBT rights,” said Trudeau.
“But I look forward to talking with you about that.”
