Decree-Law No. 34/2020 on urgent measures in the field of health, support for work and the economy, as well as social policies related to the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19.

The DL 34/2020 lays down urgent measures to cope with the COVID-19 emergency and is organised in VIII Titles that concern Health and Safety (Title I), Support to Businesses and Economy (Title II), Measures for workers (Title III), Provisions on Disability, Family and for Supporting Victims of Gender Discrimination (Title IV); Local Government Entities and Debts (Title V); Fiscal Measures (Title VI); Provisions for Saving Protection (Title VII); Sectors’ Measures (Title VIII) and 7 Annexes.
Under Title II, the DL 34/2020 sets several measures to support and help businesses, these include financial and tax mechanisms, special funds, credits and incentives. Regarding measures to support the businesses (Heading I): Art. 2 establishes a nonrepayable funding for rural workers and self-employed entrepreneur, the discipline and conditions for submitting the request. Art. 26 concerns measures to strengthen the capital of medium size businesses (including aquaculture and fishing sector) Art. 28 sets tax credit for business lease, including agricultural sector. Art. 31, 3-bis increments amount of Fund for agricultural competitiveness (Law 160/2019). Art. 38-ter Art. 38-ter promotes “Società Benefit” in the agricultural, fishing and aquaculture sector. Regarding measures to help businesses (Heading II) Art. 54 lists aids for agricultural, fishing and aquaculture sectors in the form of direct grants, repayable funding or tax levy for businesses working in the agricultural primary production and its supply chain. Art. 61, 63 and 64 concerns the update and coordination of State Aid Registers (including agriculture and fishery).
Title III, Measures for workers, Heading I amends DL 18/2020; Art. 68 amends Art. 19 DL 18/2020 on wage integration and ordinary check for rural workers adding comma 3-bis. Heading II on further urgent measures on social protection and work art. 94 entails measures to promote rural work. Art. 95 measures to support businesses, as well in the agricultural sector to reduce health risk for their workers. Art. 103 encourages and facilitate the legalizations of migrant workers that work in the fishing and aquaculture, agricultural and zoo-technical sector and their supply chain.
Among fiscal measures, Title VI, Art. 136-bis promotes a revaluation of agricultural cooperatives’ commodities and assets; Art. 137 establishes an extension for the redetermination of the purchase cost of lands.
Title VIII, Sectors’ Measures, Heading VI is dedicated to agricultural, fishing and aquaculture sector. Art. 222 lists several measures, these include exceptions granted to employers from payment of social security contributions, zero rated grants, a fund for supporting the zootechnical sector, nonrepayable funding for agrobusinesses and food chain businesses, establishes a fund to sustain fishing and aquaculture businesses (amends Art. 78 DL 18/2020) and a payment aid for self-employed fisherman. The Heading continues with measures to support agrobusinesses impacted by frost damage (Art. 222-bis). Art. 223 incentives to reduce viticulture production and improve products quality. Art. 224-bis establishes an Animal Wellbeing System at National level to ensure higher food safety and quality, to enhance eco-friendly products and processes, and higher animal wellbeing. Art. 224-ter establishes an environmental certification system for viticulture. Art. 225 facilitates the concession of mortgages to the “Consorzi di Bonifica” (land reclamation consortia) and Art. 226 increments amount of Food emergency Fund. Heading VII lays out measures to protect the environment, Art. 227 establishes a Fund to sustain national parks the businesses involved. Art. 227-bis provides funding to protect marine ecosystems. Art. 228 is on urgent measures concerning EIA. Art. 229 is on eco-transport and Art. 229-bis makes provisions on the disposal of health protection products like masks and gloves. Heading XI on National cooperation, under Art. 243 increments the Fund to sustain the agricultural businesses, among others, in more disadvantaged areas impacted by COVID-19.