The General Assembly of Assofloro was held in Rome on Friday, January 23, at Palazzo Rospigliosi. During the event, attended by the National President of Coldiretti, Ettore Prandini, the Association presented its new Board of Directors, representing the entire floriculture and nursery sector: floricultural production, nursery production, arboriculture, green space management, and landscape care.

Nada Forbici, confirmed as President, outlined the objectives for the coming years, also recalling the many issues and commitments that have seen the Association at the forefront—supported by Coldiretti—in addressing the critical challenges faced and still facing companies, as well as in seizing and making the most of growth and change opportunities. These are linked to a vision of plants and flowers that goes beyond mere aesthetics, recognizing them as fundamental to public health.

The projects and objectives highlighted by President Forbici were further explored by the many speakers who took part during the General Assembly, including:

• Analysis of production costs in floriculture, to raise awareness among companies and provide a specific operational calculation tool;
• Enhancement of residual plant materials as by-products;
• Work with MASE on CAM – Minimum Environmental Criteria in public green procurement;
• Advocacy regarding contributions for pots used in floriculture;
• Testing of compostable pots with Novamont and Filiera Agricola Italiana;
• Guidelines for rope-based tree work at height, developed with INAIL and the Ministry of Labour;
• Promotion of Italian plants and flowers through the “Firmato dagli Agricoltori Italiani” seal;
• Research with the National Research Council (CNR) on the benefits of indoor plants in school buildings;
• Contributions and amendments to the framework law on floriculture and nursery production;
• Synergy with the European Commission, the National Plant Protection Service, regional plant protection services, and research bodies to address phytosanitary issues affecting floriculture and nursery companies, particularly in recent years Popillia japonica.

At the conclusion of the Assembly, President Forbici invited Alessandra Pighin of Odorico Floriculture to the stage. She is the winner of the special prize of the Copa Cogeca Innovation Award for Women Farmers, which celebrates women who promote sustainability, resilience, and innovation in European agriculture.

The Italian floriculturist was among the protagonists of the eighth edition of the award, held in Brussels at the beginning of last December, thanks to an innovative rainwater recovery and management system that is transforming floricultural production in a green direction in the heart of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. As recalled by Nada Forbici, the award testifies to the value of Italian floriculture, which excels in Europe and worldwide for the quality, sustainability, and innovation of its products, as well as for its ability to face environmental and market challenges.

The New Assofloro Board of Directors

The newly elected Assofloro Board of Directors consists of 13 members and represents all the associations that are part of Assofloro, which in turn cover every segment of the floriculture and nursery supply chain. Alongside Nada Forbici, confirmed as President, the Board includes Simone Bellamoli (Associazione Florovivaisti Bresciani), Danilo Eforti (Associazione Italiana Professionisti del Verde), Domenico Maschi and Aldo Bina (Planta Regina Nursery District), Sandro Maffi, elected Vice President and Treasurer, Cristian Plebani (Associazione Florovivaisti Bergamaschi), Irene Polic Greco (Italian Society of Arboriculture), Mario Radaelli and Matteo Martinelli (Associazione Florovivaisti Milano Lodi Monza Brianza), Giorgio Zenone (Associazione Arboricoltori), Carlo Spertini (Associazione Florovivaisti Varese), and Paolo Bonini, representing directly associated companies.