Agricoltura di qualità e rete natura 2000: “laboratori” del cambiamento

Through the centuries, rural communities have managed their environment creating a rich landscape diversity. This represents an historical heritage both for the region and for humanity because the "world" itself represents the sum of widespread fragmentation processes following specific laws. The intense socio-economic changes of the last century, the rise of the "global" markets, in particular, have radically changed the landscape configuration and its natural quality across Europe. Natura 2000 network and the network of protected areas are currently the "open laboratories" to test a model of development that is compatible with the priceless treasure such as: species, habitats, landscape and heritage. Places shaped by man in harmonic forms that need to regain the intrinsic value that kept them alive, for so many centuries, through new interpretations of the "development". Agriculture is the main protagonist: cause of various phenomena, whose diagnosis is increasingly clear to scientists such as to the farmers and citizens. Only if agriculture will assume a role in therapy and will be able to ensure the coexistence of the natural values of the area, a credible future can be designed. By integrating agricultural and environmental policies in order to design a development of the rural areas as a "harmonious whole", it will be possible a significant impact on the economic level. However, these intentions can be effective only by making each individual in a new position of centrality, awareness and responsibility. The act of eating, for instance, could gain today a powerful political sin, potentailly able to change the prevailing economy that increasingly replaces a silent global (and local) politic.