Network Contracts in Italian Agriculture: Legal Insights, Operational Strategies, and European Perspectives

Absztrakt

This article examines the network contract in the Italian agricultural sector, a distinctive legal instrument introduced by Decree-Law No. 5/2009 and adapted to agriculture through Decree-Law No. 91/2014, which enables small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises to cooperate while preserving their legal and operational autonomy. The study analyzes the regulatory framework, structural characteristics, and operational mechanisms of agricultural network contracts, including the common network program, methods of collaboration, legal requirements for participation, labor law implications, and relations with public administration. Through comparative analysis with similar models in other European legal systems, the research highlights the distinctive flexibility of the Italian approach, demonstrating that while the network contract offers significant advantages for resource optimization and enhanced competitiveness, its effectiveness ultimately depends on careful contract drafting, clear governance mechanisms, and proper understanding of its legal implications in the agricultural context.