ROME (Reuters) – The Italian government will declare a state of emergency for the areas worst hit by a drought, it said in a statement on Monday.
A cabinet meeting on the issue has been scheduled for 1800 (1600 GMT), it added. Declaring a state of emergency allows authorities to take decisions faster, cutting through normal legislative procedures.
Several Italian regions have already declared a state of emergency, looking to free up funds to counter the growing water crisis as farming associations say agricultural output is set to plunge this year in key areas.
(Reporting by Angelo Amante, editing by Giulia Segreti)
