The Sicilian Regional Assembly (ARS) has passed and approved a blockchain bill, which now mandates the tracking of agro-food via blockchain technology. The government of Sicily hopes that blockchain technology will be able to create a network for agricultural products that will promote transparency and traceability within the agro-food industry. Despite the passage of this blockchain bill, it may still undergo some specific changes or updates because the Official Journal of the Sicily Region hasn’t published the final version.
The Sicily Blockchain Bill
The proposal for this blockchain bill was put forward last year by Jose Marano, the deputy of the 5 Star Movement (M5S), an Italian political party. According to Marano’s plan, blockchain could become the ideal technology for solving security and traceability problems within the agriculture industry. Marano’s vision was to create a system that benefits both the producer and consumer while strengthening food supply chains and allowing it to function as a data guarantee tool by boosting agro-food tracking and security in the DOC, DOP, ICG, and IGP supply chain.
Passing a law to back this provision will ensure that end consumers have full confidence in these agro-products since an efficient system is now in place for eliminating counterfeits and tracking these products from farm-to-table.
Speaking on this development, Jose Marano quipped:
“Objective achieved. From today Sicily will be able to trace the products of its land on a blockchain that guarantees transparency and incorruptibility of the data. This is a great opportunity for Sicily, for its companies, for workers and for the health of citizens.”
Being one of the largest Islands in the Mediterranean sea, Sicily is a big city that is famous for its food, often referred to as one of the street food capitals of the world. Therefore, having an effective system for tracking food products will be tremendously advantageous and could go a long way to help prevent foodborne disease outbreaks and save lives.
Blockchain Integration Enhances Supply Chains
Using blockchain to enhance supply chains isn’t exactly a novel idea. Experts in the blockchain industry believe that supply chain integration will be the first area where blockchain technology makes a truly groundbreaking impact that will facilitate global adoption across other industries. Many companies agree with this and have been developing blockchain-based systems to tackle traditional supply chain problems.
Food supply chains that utilize blockchain tech can easily track food products from the source until it gets to the final consumer. This feature allows for new capabilities, including being able to identify and get rid of counterfeit items and trace the origin of foodborne disease.
Europe & Blockchain Tech
Sicily is only one of many European states that have begun ramping up their efforts in the development of blockchain technology and its applications. Malta, one of Sicily’s neighbors, has created several blockchain opportunities for developers and entrepreneurs that it is now known as the “blockchain island.” Other European countries like Itay and Germany are looking at implementing blockchain strategies that will facilitate support for blockchain innovation and deployment across both the public and private sectors.
Interest in Blockchain
The wave of blockchain enthusiasm appears to be sweeping Europe, but there is still widespread apprehension concerning cryptocurrencies, especially stablecoins. Due to the centralized nature of these cryptocurrencies and the absence of proper regulations, many European nations fear that the adoption of these blockchain-powered digital currencies could usurp the financial system as we know it. There will be no surprise if the EU eventually decides to pass legislation that sanctions the use of stablecoins or other similar cryptocurrencies in the near future. With the Sicily blockchain bill in place, Sicily will become the first Italian region to adopt blockchain technology on a governmental level.
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