Drought in Sicily, a new case between the EU and Italy

Brussels – Italy would already have the means to deal with the drought-induced water emergency in Sicily. However, authorities in charge and institutions have not acted as they could and should have. The Sicilian issue is heating relations between Italy and the European Union with exchanges of implicit mutual accusations. What can Europe do for Italy? Many in European Parliament quarters ask. The answers are always the same, and they beg the question of what Italy can do for itself and why it does not.

The latest act in the confrontation is the response of the Commissioner for Cohesion, Elisa Ferreira, to the urgent question submitted by Giuseppe Antoci (M5S/the Left), who asks what Brussels could do. The Commission can come to the rescue through the European Solidarity Fund. However, Ferreira points out, “As of August 6, 2024, Italy has not activated the EU Solidarity Fund to address the situation in Sicily,” even if the fact that the president of the Sicilian Region, Renato Schifani, recognized the difficulty of the situation by proclaiming a state of water emergency on March 11, through resolution extending the crisis until December 31, 2024.

In addition, the EU can make other economic and financial aid available through the LIFE program for desalination activities and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which provides “tools for risk management in case of adverse weather conditions.” Italy already has European support but does not know or does not want to take advantage of it, perhaps because it is not a blank check. European funds can provide financial support to investments to ensure sufficient water supply “if they meet the eligibility criteria and the requirements of the water and environmental acquis,” Ferreira points out. It means that structural interventions are needed and done properly. Without a doubt a challenge for local and central government.

Speaking of reforms, now more than ever, the EU is waiting for Italy. The National Resilience and Recovery Plan (NRRP), financed through the Recovery Fund, “includes support for sustainable water management with the Member State responsible for the allocation of Recovery and Resilience Facility support across regions,” the commissioner again notes. It is up to the Meloni government to determine how much to allocate to Sicily and to what extent to address the water emergency on the island. Again, Europe is there, but it is up to Italy to treasure EU support.

Ferreira’s answers once again nail Italy to its responsibilities as Maros Sefcovic, commissioner for the Green Deal, did when questioned on the same drought issue in Sicily. Ferreira’s remarks build on Sefcovic’s warning that it is up to the regions to work to prevent, address, and solve the problem. The Sicilian water crisis has become a case and a reason for tensions between Rome and Brussels, with the EU executive forced to suggest pricing policies for packaged water. 

MEP Antoci denounces that  “numerous union ordinances prohibit the use of water supplied by the water network, forcing citizens to buy bottled water, burdened by the ordinary VAT rate. Isn’t it that you can apply a preferential regime given the circumstances?” he asks Brussels. Of course, you can, but you don’t even need to ask for it. “The EU VAT directive does not preclude the application of reduced rates to the supply of water, including bottled water,” Ferreira recalls, noting that the  decision to use this option “is at the discretion of the member states.” Once again, the EU has given Italy the tools to deal with the complex situation afflicting Sicily, but someone in the country has not noticed; it doesn’t make national and local politics look good.

“The Meloni government is doing nothing about the water crisis that has been affecting Sicily and all of Southern Italy for months”, criticised Antoci after having reiceived Ferrera’s reply. “Confirmation comes from the European Commission”, he says, commenting on the response given to his question”, he stressed. “This response unequivocally demonstrates that, despite the severity of the drought affecting Sicily, no EU toolhas yet been activated by the Italian government”.