More rules, more value: the new law that really protects the work of artisans of taste

More rules, more value: the new law that really protects the work of artisans of taste
by Alessandro Cuomo

Those who work every day in the processing of meat and fish know it well: quality is not just a promise, it is a daily commitment made up of choices, skills and responsibilities. Butchers, fish operators, butchers, processing artisans – often trained in our Academy – represent a fundamental garrison of the territory. In restaurants, shops, and specialized distribution departments, they give life to authentic productions, often with a short supply chain or zero kilometer. Today, with the approval of the new bill A.C. 2721 of 7 April 2026, this commitment finally finds a strong regulatory ally.

A law that defends those who work well

The purpose of the measure is clear: to strengthen the protection of Italian agri-food products, introducing more precise rules, more incisive sanctions and more effective controls. For those who operate correctly, it means only one thing – less unfair competition and more recognition of the real value of the product.
On the fraud front, the reform introduces two new crimes: food fraud and trade in food with false signs. These are not mere technical standards. These provisions directly affect anyone who alters, falsifies or miscommunicates the origin, quality and characteristics of products. The penalties for the counterfeiting of PDO and PGI are also increased, with specific aggravating and mitigating factors calibrated on the weight of the violations. The message is clear: those who deceive the consumer will no longer have space.

Tougher penalties, concrete responsibilities

The new sanctioning system is decidedly more incisive than in the past. Criminal and administrative sanctions are strengthened, with fines that may be proportionate to the company’s turnover. In addition, there is the mandatory confiscation of assets, the possibility of temporary or permanent closure of the activity, the prohibition from exercising and limited access to public funding. The error – or worse, the impropriety – is no longer sustainable either economically or professionally.

Stronger controls, more transparent supply chains

The law also intervenes decisively on the front of controls and traceability. Competent authorities are given more powers, including the possibility of unannounced inspections. A specific mark is introduced for PDO and PGI products, a national plan of agri-food controls is established and a single register for buffalo milk is created. The dairy sector, in particular, will be subject to more stringent scrutiny.
For those who work in short supply chains, all this represents a concrete advantage: transparency and traceability become tools for enhancement, not a bureaucratic burden. The operating procedures also change: the seized products can be used for charitable purposes, new rules for sampling and investigations are introduced and the use of investigative tools in agri-food crimes is expanded. A control room for controls is also created, designed to make the entire system more efficient and coherent.

A systemic reform

The breadth of the reform is remarkable. New sanctions concern labelling, indication of origin and unfair commercial practices. Action is also taken on the CAP, fisheries and agricultural production, updating the regulations in line with European law. Each link in the supply chain is called to a higher level of responsibility.
For those who produce traditional cured meats, pork processing or artisanal fish processing, this law is not an obstacle: it is a turning point. It means working in a fairer market, seeing real quality recognized, standing out from those who improvise or imitate, and strengthening consumer confidence. Those who work with method, knowledge and respect for raw materials are already aligned with this new scenario.

The value of training today

In this context, training is no longer just an opportunity: it is a necessity. In our Stagionello Academy we train professionals capable of correctly managing complex production processes, guaranteeing traceability and safety, and communicating the authentic value of the product. And it is precisely this competence that makes the difference today.
The DDL A.C. 2721 represents an organic reform of the agri-food system with a clear objective: to combat fraud and protect quality. For those who work seriously, this is good news. Because the future of the sector will not be made up of shortcuts, but of competence, transparency and territorial identity. And you, every day, are the protagonists.