Ministero dell'agricoltura, della sovranità alimentare e delle foreste

The Ministero dell'agricoltura, della sovranità alimentare e delle foreste (MASAF) is the Italian government body responsible for shaping and executing national policy in the agricultural, food and forestry sectors. Its mandate includes the formulation of strategies that support domestic agricultural production, ensure the security and sovereignty of the food supply, and promote sustainable management of forest resources. The ministry designs and administers financial instruments such as subsidies, tax incentives and rural development programmes that are directed at farmers, agri‑food enterprises and forest owners. It also oversees the implementation of European Union regulations, notably the Common Agricultural Policy and related environmental directives, adapting them to the Italian context. In addition, MASAF monitors compliance with food safety standards, phytosanitary rules and forestry legislation, carrying out inspections and certification activities where required. The organisation fosters research, innovation and technology transfer by collaborating with universities, research institutes and industry associations to improve productivity and environmental performance.

As a ministerial department, MASAF operates under the authority of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and reports directly to the Prime Minister of Italy. It is a public administration entity with no private owners, shareholders or parent company; its budget and staffing are allocated through the annual state budget law. The ministry’s distinguishing attribute is its explicit focus on food sovereignty, which combines agricultural productivity with the goal of ensuring that Italy can meet its nutritional needs through domestically produced goods. This focus is complemented by a strong emphasis on sustainable forestry, positioning MASAF as the lead authority for national forest planning, reforestation initiatives and the protection of woodland biodiversity. The ministry also plays a coordinating role in emergency response related to agricultural crises, such as plant disease outbreaks or extreme weather events, working alongside civil protection and regional authorities. The December 2022 DDoS attack claimed by a Russian cybercriminal group illustrates the ministry’s exposure to cyber threats, although the incident did not result in data loss or lasting operational disruption according to the available reports.