MEP Fulvio Martusciello (PPE) has asked the European Commission to revise customs rules for agri-food products to prevent operators from exploiting the 'last substantial transformation' principle to label foreign products as 'Made in Italy'. The written parliamentary question, submitted on 27 April 2026, targets a practice that Martusciello says deceives consumers, poses health risks, and damages Italian agricultural businesses by squeezing prices and wages.
Martusciello's question focuses on Article 60 of the Union Customs Code, which determines non-preferential origin as the country where the last substantial, economically justified working took place. He argues that this allows operators to import foreign raw materials—such as tomato concentrate and mozzarella curd—into Italy for minimal final processing and then market them as Italian products. He notes that 90% of the 150,000 tonnes of mozzarella curd imported annually enters via the Brenner Pass.
The MEP calls for a revision of customs rules specifically for agri-food products to empower and protect farmers and consumers. The question does not propose specific numerical targets or deadlines but urges the Commission to prevent low-quality non-EU products from being sold under the 'Made in Italy' label.
As a written parliamentary question under Rule 144, the Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. The answer will signal the Commission's stance on tightening origin rules for agri-food goods, potentially impacting EU producers, consumers, and importers.