The affected area
Regarding the article published in "La Stampa" on Sunday, July 26, prompted by recent reports regarding the release of approximately 2.500 pheasants into the Novara Ticino 1 and Novara Sesia 2 ATC (Sporting Areas), it is necessary to clarify the regulatory, health, and management framework within which these operations are conducted, in order to ensure complete, transparent, and scientifically sound information. The Piedmont regional law governing the protection of wild fauna and hunting planning clearly establishes the obligation to complete the release of farmed fauna no later than July 31. It should be noted that any postponement or release of pheasants in September constitutes an extraordinary exemption that can only be authorized by the Piedmont Region. To date, such an exemption has not yet been received. In the absence of an official exemption, management bodies and ATCs are legally required to respect the ordinary July 31 deadline to avoid regulatory violations.
Settling-in period
Releasing the birds by July provides the animals with a window of approximately two months before the opening of the hunting season (the third Sunday in September), allowing them to acclimatize, recognize natural shelters, and learn to find food and water. Pheasants are not to be compared to common farmyard animals. It's important to make one fundamental point clear: these pheasants are not raised like common farmyard animals (such as chickens, geese, or turkeys). Comparing restocked fauna to domestic poultry is a conceptual and technical error. While domestic and farmyard animals depend on humans and live in confined spaces, pheasants destined for restocking come from highly specialized and certified farms, specifically designed to preserve and foster the animal's wildness.
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Wild instinct
The animals live in large spaces covered in natural vegetation, allowing them to constantly practice flight and develop the muscles needed to escape predators. Unlike farmyard animals, they are not subjected to any imprinting or familiarization with humans, preserving their wild instincts and natural distrust. Animal welfare protocols are always respected and certified, while spaces are kept in low density to avoid the stress of overcrowding and they are given a specific diet designed to strengthen their bodies for independent living in the wild. Each batch of animals destined for release is subject to preventive and rigorous veterinary checks by the Veterinary Services of the competent Local Health Authority (ASL). Public veterinarians conduct inspections to verify their general health. The Local Health Authority (ASL) certifies the animals' health and physical fitness, issuing the official authorization required for release into the territory.
Formal derogation
Concerns about climatic and summer conditions are carefully considered by the Territorial Hunting Areas (ATC). However, blocking releases without a formal exemption would pose serious management challenges. The release plans call for the strategic placement of the animals in suitable and selected areas, characterized by spontaneous vegetation, hedgerows, shelter crops, and natural waterways capable of providing resources and shelter even during the hottest periods, all identified by qualified personnel. In conclusion, the release of pheasants scheduled for the end of July meets specific requirements set by Piedmont regional law, supported by health checks by the Local Health Authority (ASL) and by farms with high professional standards and not comparable to backyard breeding. Since the regional exemption for the postponement to September has not yet been received, continuing activities according to the legal schedule represents the only course of action that complies with regulations and safeguards proper wildlife planning.
