Panem et circensis
First the failure to participate in EOS, now a firm statement that will undoubtedly provoke reactions. The Honorable Sergio Berlato, president of ACR (Association for Rural Culture), has released a lengthy statement pointing the finger at recognized hunting associations: "The concept of panem et circensis (bread and entertainment) was coined in the first century AD by Juvenal, who described how the emperors of ancient Rome used means of mass distraction to prevent the people from reflecting on the real problems afflicting them. Many centuries have passed since then, but it seems that the mass distraction techniques used by the Roman emperors are unfortunately still terribly effective. If we were to analyze what is happening to hunting in Italy, we would realize that nothing has changed compared to ancient Rome. We had the opportunity to ask the relevant ministries what the real number of those who practice hunting in Italy is and how many of them are members of nationally recognized hunting associations."
The data in detail
“Here are the official data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture on March 30, 2026:
- Italian Hunting Federation 212.488
- National Free Hunting Association 63.045
- Enalcaccia 37.624
- Archhunter 26.361
- ITALIAN HUNTING 16.809
- ANUU 15.180
- EPS 1.233
- It can be deduced that, as of December 31, 2023, the hunters registered with nationally recognized hunting associations were 372.740".
Lead knives and ammunition
If we calculate a further decline in hunters estimated at 10% annually from 2023 to 2025, this would mean that hunters registered with nationally recognized hunting associations currently number just over 300.000. If the Italian Parliament's ill-advised efforts to pass into law the disastrous Legislative Decree banning the use and carrying of knives in Italy, along with the amendment banning the use and carrying of lead ammunition in all Italian wetlands, and the complete ban on hunting in state-owned maritime areas throughout Italy, were to be implemented, we estimate there could be a further hemorrhage of hunters, amounting to at least 20% of those currently practicing hunting.
Prospects for the future
In this dramatic situation for the Italian hunting world, with even worse prospects for the immediate future, "bread and circuses," the weapon of mass distraction, is back in fashion. Leaders of recognized hunting associations entertain you at fairs, where they claim hunters are never satisfied and expect too much, so much so that they've even called for the Italian Parliament to approve the long-awaited amendments to the infamous state law no. 157/92, which, since its enactment, has forced over a million hunters to stop hunting in Italy. "Bread and circuses": let's give hunters a little fun with the illusion of a full stomach, so they'll stop thinking about hunting, or even hunting with dignity.
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