Paolo De Castro

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Paolo De Castro (born 2 February 1958 in San Pietro Vernotico) is an Italian politician, and the current Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies.

[edit] Biography

Paolo De Castro is professor of Agricultural Economics at the Veterinary Medicine University of Bologna. In 1980 he graduated at the same University getting the maximum mark in Agricultural Science. He is married and has two sons. From January 2001 to May 2004 the Minister chaired the "Nomisma" Economics' Studies Institute. He also chaired the Qualivita Foundation and currently runs the International Agricultural Policy Magazine edited by the Informatore Agrario in Verona. He is professor at the Agriculture Academy of Bologna, the Georgofili Agricultural Economics Academy of Florence, the Agriculture Academy of Pesaro and the National Academy of Treja. From 1996 to 1998 he was economic advisor of Prime Minister Romano Prodi and Economic Advisor of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Michele Pinto. Since 1st June to 31st December 2000 he was appointed as special Advisor of the EU Commission's President. From 21st October 1998 to 25th April 2000 he served as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Policies in both Governments chaired by Massimo D'Alema. On November 2000, President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi awarded him the "Cavaliere di Gran Croce al merito della Repubblica Italiana"merit honour. He is scientific coordinator of the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) in Paris, and scientific Director of the Genio Rurale Magazine: a magazine on goods evaluation and territory science of Edagricole. He is also member of the Italian Agricultural Economists' Society (SIDEA) and of the European Agricultural Economics Association (EAEA). Candidate at the Political Elections held from 9th-10th April 2006 in Apulia in the Olive Tree list, he was elected in the XV Legislature. He was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies on 17th May 2006 in the current Government chaired by Romano Prodi.