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Federal Minister of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity Alois Rainer Visits Rome
Rome, 23 January 2026 – Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (BMLEH) visited the German-Italian government consultations in Rome, where he met with Francesco Lollobrigida, his Italian counterpart.
The consultations focused on
- ensuring European food sovereignty,
- promoting a competitive agricultural sector, and
- supporting innovation in the agricultural industry.
Minister Rainer and Minister Lollobrigida discussed practical, low-bureaucracy EU regulations designed to strengthen agriculture and food security in a sustainable way.
Visit to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Accompanied by Ambassador Andreas von Brandt, Germany’s Permanent Representative to the UN organizations in Rome, Minister Rainer then visited the FAO, where they were received by Director-General Qu Dongyu in a high-level meeting.
The discussions focused on joint projects to enhance food security and promote innovative agricultural technologies.
The visit concluded with an impressive view of the Eternal City from the FAO headquarters’ rooftop.
Background Information
The German-Italian government consultations are held regularly to deepen bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, agriculture, energy, and research. Agricultural policy plays a key role, especially in the context of global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, climate change, and food security.
The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), headquartered in Rome, is the leading UN organization for food security, sustainable agriculture, and innovative food technologies.
Minister Rainer’s visit underscores Germany’s commitment to close European and international cooperation.