Italy approves 175.2 million euro aid as truckers' blockades persist in the south

Decree sets aside 175.2 million euros

The Council of Ministers approved a decree-law on 22 October that allocates 175.2 million euros to road haulage, agriculture and fishing, three sectors hit by higher diesel prices. Road haulage receives 105.2 million euros. The tax credit already set up under the excise decrees gets 45.2 million euros more for March to August. Deputy minister Edoardo Rixi said the total for that period now stands at about 480 million euros, up from 430 million. A further 60 million euros covers spending from 1 September to 5 October.

Farmers receive 60 million euros in non-repayable grants covering 20% of fuel spending made between 1 June and 15 October 2026, up to 45 cents per litre. Agea, the agency for agricultural payments, will manage the funds. Fishing companies get a non-repayable grant of 10% of their fuel spending over the same period, with 10 million euros set aside. Application rules will be set within five days of the decree taking effect, and payments are due within the following 30 days. The decree also suspends leasing payments on vehicles expiring between November 2026 and March 2027 until 31 March 2027.

Truck fleet renewal postponed

The decree does not include the 590 million euros the government had promised for renewing the truck fleet. The funds are expected later, probably through the budget law. Their release also depends on talks with Brussels over the most polluting vehicles. The government had earlier said it would commit more than half a billion euros to truck renewal.

Blockades split by region

The protest is not over, but it varies from region to region. Truckers in Calabria and Sicily suspended their stoppage, while other areas of the Mezzogiorno still face problems moving and distributing goods. In Molise, a convoy on the SS85 between Venafro and Sesto Campano has grown past one kilometre, and the protest will continue indefinitely. Fuel has run out across Isernia province, and supermarkets there have empty shelves for fresh produce, meat, milk and, in some places, water. In Naples, trucks have been parked for days on via Argine, blocking the exit of fuel tankers, and a slow convoy moved toward the port before returning. In Campania the picture is patchy: the A1 and A30 motorways are clear, but pickets remain outside several toll booths, while Teverola-Carinaro has been cleared and Eurospin, Md and Familia have resumed deliveries.

Police checks and supply strains

Airports in Naples, Salerno, Reggio Calabria, Crotone and Catania are on alert because of difficulties getting Jet A-1 fuel. The Interior Ministry stepped up checks so that firms wanting to deliver can do so, and police have arranged escorts for many heavy vehicles. The ministry reported 1,339 people identified, 71 reports filed and 242 administrative sanctions.

Government response

Giorgia Meloni said the agreement with haulage associations had been reached, payments had started and the cabinet had approved new measures for farmers and fishers. In a video posted on her social channels, she said:

The Government listens to those who protest peacefully and works to deliver concrete answers.

She thanked the associations that chose talks and lifted their stoppages and demonstrations. She also said that in some areas a few people kept blocking roads, threatening drivers who wanted to work and cutting the tyres of colleagues' trucks:

This is not protest but intimidation. And we will not tolerate intimidation.

Meloni asked Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to ensure free circulation of goods and to head off price speculation.