Agricultural Cooperation

Joint Declaration of Intents on Agricultural Cooperation Between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the State of Israel and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Policies of the Government of Italy

1. Following the discussions between the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Israel, H.E. Mr. Israel Katz, and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Policies of Italy, H.E. Mr. Giovanni Alemanno, at the EURO-MED Conference in Venice on November 27, 2003, and the discussions held at their meeting in Minister Katz´ office in Beit Dagan during Minister Alemanno´s official visit to Israel, the two ministers reaffirm the interest of their two governments to increase and expand cooperation between them in agriculture and the agro-food field.

2. The two sides agree that cooperation in research in the fields elaborated in this declaration will be carried out by the public research-related institutions authorized by the two governments.

3. The two sides agree that the following fields, among others, are suitable for establishing cooperation: Research and technology in various subjects, aquaculture and mariculture, food quality and safety, logistics of marketing and international trade of fresh agricultural produce, technologies of irrigation, and water recycling. More specific fields of cooperation include:

• Technological and commercial cooperation in the production and handling of fresh agricultural produce.
• Technologies related to water management.
• Creation of common frameworks for the trade of agricultural products.
• Development of cooperation in the standardization, technology and trade in olive oil.
• Irrigation technologies and those aimed at the struggle against drought and irregular rainfall.
  • Production of energy in the agricultural-rural sector.
  • Development of post-harvest technologies.
  • Expanding the range of fish varieties and intensive freshwater fish   
  • Cultivation technologies, and the production of a wide range of marine fish varieties, with emphasis on the ecological balance of aquaculture in the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Development of agriculture friendly to the environment.
  • Development of initiatives for sustainable forest management at the regional level.
  • Improving varieties of mutual interest through advanced methods.
  • Development and improvement of Integrated Pest Management methods (IPM).
  • Cooperation and assistance in the transfer of agricultural know-how to developing countries for the purpose of improving production efficiency and food security and quality.

4. The methods of production and handling of fresh agricultural produce are similar in both Italy and Israel.  However, there is a common interest to develop and expand trade in such produce in the Mediterranean basin with emphasis on the uniqueness of each one of the producing countries.

5. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Policies of Italy and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Israel are interested in commencing a joint initiative with the participation of public and private entities from both countries, following which a company or bi-national cooperative will be established through which the components of cooperation in this joint declaration will be realized.

6. The two financing sides will cooperate in promoting the appropriate framework mentioned in item 5, also with the integration of appropriate programs of the EU, other international organizations, and the private sector.

7. In order to define precisely and in detail the items in this joint declaration, and in order to establish a regular framework which will handle the implementation of the items, a joint working group will be set up of four members from each country.  The working group will be set up by the end of 2003 and will define three months after its establishment its detailed work plan.

8. In the framework of the detailed work plan, three events will be specified tentatively , two in Italy and one in Israel (exhibition and/or fair/and or conference) which will aid in disseminating the initiatives indicated in this joint declaration and in exposing the know-how of the two sides in the fields of cooperation.

9. The operative programs which are the subject of this joint declaration will obtain, if needed, the appropriate confirmation of the governmental authorities in the two countries.                                       

Signed in Tel Aviv on

December 8, 2003

H.E. Mr. Giovanni Alemanno                                H.E. Mr. Israel Katz
Minister of Agriculture and                                    Minister of Agriculture and

Forest Policies of Italy                                           Rural Development of Israel