THE ITALIAN UNESCO COMMITTEE HAS NOMINATED THE "TRUFFLE CULTURE" TO INTANGIBLE HERITAGE, TO PROTECT AN INDUSTRY THAT ACCORDING TO COLDIRETTI IS WORTH MORE THAN HALF A BILLION EUROS. THE DECISION IN 2019

The nomination of "Truffle Culture" to Unesco Intangible Heritage of Humanity, promoted by the municipality of Norcia, is an important step to protect an industry that has a special relationship with nature and a rich anthropological and cultural tradition, as in its territories the truffle business is estimated at over half a billion euros, commented the Association of Italian Farmers Coldiretti, commenting the Italian Committee for UNESCO’s unanimous vote to the candidacy of "Truffle Culture".
The Committee has sent the dossier to Paris, instructing the Ministries of Culture and Agriculture Policies to underline the importance of agriculture and the tradition of truffles in the areas affected by the earthquake.

This is an important sign, following the inauguration of the Truffle Fair in Norcia last February by Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, who underlined its importance in encouraging tourism in the earthquake zone. The request to nominate and protect the "Practices and knowledge of the culture of truffles" to Intangible Heritage for Humanity is supported by 54 Italian truffle cities in 14 regions throughout Italy together with related associations.

The Committee cast a favorable and unanimous vote for "Truffle Culture" to submit the Italian candidacy for 2018, and the decision the following year, in 2019. This application opens an important year for Italian food, which will be concluded between December 4 and 8, 2017 in Seoul, where the Unesco World Committee will examine the candidacy for membership of "The Art of the Neapolitan Pizzaiuoli" on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and in support of which 2 million signatures are being collecting around the world.