Hunting: “hunting tourism” is on the rise, Anpana is under less restrictive laws abroad, and in many states there is no or insufficient turnover of 3 million euros.
It is the business of the new millennium, we go abroad to hunt what is forbidden in Italy. The figures for hunting tourism increase every year. The hunters who leave, double on their shoulders, choose countries with less restrictive laws that do not foresee hunting limits. While those who remain within the national borders can choose between free hunting or hunting reserves, which now represent a real business. Countries are chosen according to the species to be hunted, from bears to big cats, from elephants to elephants, wolves and partridges. According to the hunting associations of Istria, the turnover is around three million euros. The trip is almost always offered by online tourist agencies.
“A phenomenon that is increasing more and more - Francesco Pellecchia, president of Anpana, National Association for the Protection of Animals Nature and Environment, tells Adnkronos - in previous years there were few hunters who chose to go abroad, but now the numbers are growing. But our greatest concern is that in many of the states chosen for this practice, the forms of control are absent or insufficient. From unofficial sources - continues the president - we know that in Africa, as in Asian countries and in the Balkans, controls are very limited ”.
The destinations are Asia, Africa, Europe or Oceania. The British Isles are very popular with European hunters. England was joined by Ireland and Scotland. While in the Crimea, one of the most important Italian agencies organizes charter flights that transport hunters and dogs into the cabin. The number of Italian hunters looking overseas is increasing, to countries such as Argentina, Uruguay and Cuba.
“There are tourist packages that include hunting for the Red Deer in Croatia, during the reproductive phase, from mid-August to the beginning of September, or for the roe deer and fallow deer. These are "expeditions" organized to developing countries or countries in difficult economic conditions where this type of tourism is seen as a source of rather easy income. The Association - notes the president Anpana - has been taking action for some time to crack down on illegal behavior. We are starting collaborative relationships with various countries affected by this problem, so that the principles of legality and the protection of birds are respected. But, unfortunately, the laws prevent us from doing more ”.
They are also sometimes European countries, such as Romania, where however "there is a sort of wild hunt for species that are protected in Europe", says Andrea Brutti of the National Animal Protection Agency. In fact, Romania, having recently entered the European Community, has ten years to adapt its regulations to those of other states. Meanwhile, “species of birds continue to be killed which in Italy are limited, such as the skylark. Among other things, Romania, which is also a precious country from an environmental point of view, is endangered by hunters and in particular by the Italian ones ”.
“Indeed - Brutti notes - in that country it is possible to hunt the bear protected in other countries. And he only kills him for the satisfaction of winning his trophy, which is usually his head ”. Then there is the African reality “preferred by the richest. Where parks have been set up specifically for this game: the hunt for elephants, lions, rhinos or buffaloes ”, continues Brutti.
So, how to stem the phenomenon? "We should create impediments from Italy - according to the representative of the Enpa - which, however, is in infringement proceedings with Europe because it does not apply as it should the European directive on small birds that do not spela casino they would be "huntable" ".
“Europe - he explains - admits exceptions for reasons relating to damage to agriculture or scientific purposes, envisaging these as special measures. Instead, for the regions they have become provisions in derogation from the law and every year they propose the same reasons that have now become the rule from exceptional ones ”. Until in July 2010 we were condemned by Europe which opened an infringement procedure. Who will pay the "very high" fines? All Italian citizens ”, concludes Brutti.
Osvaldo Veneziano, president of Arcicaccia, also agrees on the need for protection and conservation of the species. “I am not convinced by the idea that there is a hunt without limits, the fact that I can have an unlimited game bag just because I pay. There are species of birds that emigrate and this can damage the possibility of reproduction of the species ”. “I believe that a limited and controlled hunt like the Italian one - he underlines - should also be the reference for other countries. Conservation must be privileged, an 'environmentally friendly' hunt should be the prerequisite for hunting tourism. In short, environmentally friendly hunting should be the priority ”, concludes Veneziano.
In Italy, more and more hunters are choosing free hunting: "Out of a thousand - explains Francesco Pellecchia of Anpana - eight hundred prefer free hunting and two hundred are moving towards hunting reserves, a business in which millions of euros are made". These are “free farms or closed hunting reserves. In Italy there are not many, compared to abroad - continues Pellecchia - the problem is not so much due to the type of animals that are hunted today. In many Italian areas, bird hunting is reduced to the bone because there are no more of them, to the point that to shoot pheasants or hares and roe deer the animals are released, that is, taken from captivity and placed in the wild to be able to hunt them. ".
For wild boar hunting, for example, “there are reserves where animals are kept in captivity and released only to be hunted. This shows what we have always been convinced of: that hunting is not a sporting activity as they want it to pass - underlines the president of Anpana - We are not against hunters but against the idea of hunting, so if animals there are none in nature, you have to enter them to be able to hunt them ”.
7 December 2012
Adnkronos