“To innovate is to serve tradition, not to replace it”. De Carlo’s plan not to leave FdI behind

Luca De Carlo is the reassuring face of Fratelli d’Italia. That of the bill on scientific experimentation for the genetic improvement of plants, “because research serves to enhance our agri-food heritage”. And that of the categorical veto – as a good man of the party – to cultivated meat, “because replacing traditional products with laboratory ones is quite another thing”. What is almost moved to review the Melonian parliamentary patrol, “because I knew it competent, but so diligent in the work it was difficult to imagine”. And the one that lowers his gaze, when reminded of some element guilty of nostalgia even in his north-east: “Isolated cases compared to all the rest”. He is annoyed by “the cloying liturgy on fascism carried on by the press and the opposition”. But also the ones of him who fall for it. And that’s not much. “I just wish we were valued for the deck we make each other every day.”

So let’s start with the bill that bears your name, Senator. “The authorization to experiment on the ground with everything our researchers are already doing in the laboratory”. Oxygen, in short, after twenty years of political fury against GMOs. “Oh no,” says De Carlo. “Europe equates genome editing to GMOs for the simple reason that it arises after the relevant legislation. But in fact it has nothing to do with it”. Example. “A vine can become more resistant to downy mildew if the gene that causes the disease to advance is switched off, or if a character that contrasts it is strengthened, or if the plant is crossed with another of the same species that is resistant to downy mildew. We are therefore talking about a sexually compatible vineyard, not a GMO. No, it’s a cross between a cow and a horse, that’s it”, after the Superquark moment, the piedmont interlayer. “It is about accelerating processes that would already occur in nature. And in fact, from Coldiretti to Confagricoltura, everyone supports our initiative. We are for innovation, to prevent Italy from falling behind. Despite those who accuse us”.

Because for a De Carlo who opens, there is a Lollobrigida who closes. “To in vitro meat and synthetic drift”, the senator echoes the minister. “This goes beyond our way of being, our civilization, our strength”. Really. “Made in Italy is linked to the territory: it tells of knowledge and flavours. Net of health issues, if we start producing in the laboratory we will destroy our market excellence”. But wouldn’t the chianina obtained from stem cells always be chianina? “No. It would be a substitute, workable anywhere in the world. And don’t delude yourself that you would continue to do it in Italy: the multinationals are aiming for countries where it costs less. Maybe it’s okay with them and Bill Gates. Not to us. But we are not old-fashioned, and this bill proves it”.

Let’s stay on the ground, however on a political level: in the elections in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, FdI failed to overtake the League. “Administratives have always gone to themselves,” observes vigilant De Carlo, regional coordinator of the Veneto at the polls in two years. “In Fvg we took almost 19 percent, in politics it was 26: a year ago we would have signed it. Certainly the figure of a strong governor at Carroccio altitude like Fedriga weighed. And it is true that when you grow as a party you must also grow the ruling class. But now Fratelli d’Italia is no longer the Cinderella of the moment, with a leader who shoots and then nothing”. And here De Carlo is proud. “I wrote it just yesterday in a senatorial chat”, he, in his second term and president of the Commission, is now a veteran: “I am struck by the level of our elected officials. For their sense of work, which comes from administering”.

De Carlo calls them children of the ranks. Some ended up in Rome, others remained in the fold. Above all there the bench is short, the residual force is vulnerable: the councilor Donazzan who in Veneto does not deny anything, Marzio Giau who in Fvg ran for the regional council with his arm outstretched (complete with photos). “I repeat: these are isolated cases. And we are children of a different generation: I have been mayor three times”, in Calalzo di Cadore, “not the mayor. The controversies are extinguished by continuing to work, bringing concrete facts. The Europeans will be a good testing ground, then it will be the turn of the Veneto and I think we will have what it takes to worthily represent the centre-right”. Challenge to the League and to Zaia? “Premature speech, the important thing is to remain united. But I feel that the people outside are well disposed towards us: in the region and in the government”. Consent in hand, little to say. “I’m back from Vinitaly”, says De Carlo. “And the companies present there perceived the many state officials at their side, not as hostile figures. It’s one of the signals we wanted to give right from the start: to be close to those who produce”. And let’s go back to the bill on genome editing. “Have you seen? Not even on purpose.”