Massimo Bellavista

LEGACOOP AGROALIMENTARE NORD ITALIA promotes, represents, assists, protects and coordinates the associated cooperatives, to favor their development into modern and efficient enterprises. The National Association (LEGACOOP AGROLIMENTARE) associated 992 active cooperatives, with 214.454 members, 23.598 employees and a turnover of 8.629.000.000 Euros. These companies operate in all sectors and in all production phases of the agri-food, aquaculture and fisheries industry, with a widespread presence throughout the national territory. The Fishing and Aquaculture sector of Legacoop Agroalimentare includes cooperatives, recognized Producer Organizations (OP), and companies controlled by cooperatives, with a presence extended to all coastal regions and to all sectors of the supply chain: production, processing, marketing, services, research. and training. The Fisheries and Aquaculture sector of National Legacoop Agroalimentare associated 300 cooperatives and 95 companies, with a turnover of 300 million € (25% of the Italian Plv). There are over 3.100 managed boats (25% of all Italian boats). There are 8.600 members (27% of Italian fishing and aquaculture workers). The association's mission focuses on the following objectives: Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture: ensure sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources and aquaculture as part of sustainable development, taking into account environmental, economic and social aspects in a balanced way; Quality and food safety: quality is the first step on which to build a development chain for fishing companies, both the minimum quality guaranteed in line with the novelties of the EU food legislation, and the "excellent" quality of the certifications of origin and provenance; Environment and biodiversity: Fishermen are the protagonists of safeguarding and protecting the marine environment within the framework of an integrated management and eco-compatible enhancement of the coastal strip; New development models: the uses and traditions linked to the Italian fisheries sector, together with the promotion and enhancement of typical products and artisanal preparations through fishing tourism, can offer new possibilities for relaunching the fishing sector, responding at the same time to the European policies to rationalize the fishing effort and economic diversification initiatives of the fishing enterprise. The association is a member of COPA/COGECA based in Bruxelles. COPA (the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations) represents over 22 million European farmers and their family members in a combined effort with its members to promote the best interests of the agricultural sector among the EU institutions and other relevant stakeholders. COGECA (the General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives) represents the general and specific interests of European agri-food, forestry, and fishery cooperatives among the EU Institutions and other socio-economic organisations contributing to European decision making.