VINITALY 2011 - WINES PRODUCED ON PROPERTY CONFISCATED FROM THE MAFIA. “THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW HOW THESE PROPERTIES CAN BE TRANSFORMED INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE”, SAID, DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE, NICOLA IZZO

Wine production and spreading legality is what characterized the participation of the National Operational Program “Pon Security” at Vinitaly 2011

The National Operational Program for the Security of Developing Convergence Regions 2007-2013, co-funded by the European Union and managed by the Ministry of Interior-Department of Public Safety, has chosen to take part this year for the first time in the International Wine Show to publicize its actions for the recovery of property confiscated from the mafia. Wine farms have been started on some of the properties recovered through the Program, which are currently operated by social cooperatives that have created wealth for the region and job opportunities for many young people. Re-using land confiscated from organized crime in order to reintegrate it into the legal production cycle is an extraordinarily effective instrument in combating gangs and in spreading legality in the Convergence Regions (Campania, Calabria, Puglia and Sicily).

“The Mafia is fought also by returning confiscated property to the citizens and turning it into an instrument of economic development and social growth. Vinitaly is an important occasion,” emphasizes the authority on the management of the Program, Nicola Izzo Prefect, Deputy Head of the State Police, “to show how these lands can be transformed into something very positive and vital for the territories.
Pon Security upgrades the confiscated property, which is often in a state of neglect, and gives impetus to development, creates job opportunities and promotes legality. As a matter of fact,” concluded Izzo, “reusing confiscated properties plays a strategic role in the 2007/2013 PON program, because the theme is dedicated to a specific Operational Target”.

Until now, projects related to land to be re-used, in addition to farming and winemaking, also for social, tourism, welcoming and job placement centers were eligible for funding by the program. The European Union also recognized the importance of re-using confiscated properties from the mafias and has defined the Italian model a “best practice” to be followed throughout Europe.