An explicit request
To stem the spread of African swine fever (ASF) The rapid implementation of the extraordinary national plan for catching and killing wild boars is essential. This is requested by Coldiretti Molise in a specific letter, signed by the President and the Regional Director of the Organisation, Claudio Papa and Aniello Ascolese, addressed to the President of the Region, Francesco Roberti, also holder of the delegation for Hunting, and to the Regional Councilor for 'Agriculture, Salvatore Micone. “Already last August – recall the Coldiretti leaders – we had denounced the serious situation, present for years in the Molise region, caused by the uncontrolled presence of wild boars. We had done so in light of the concerns, which still exist, about the spread of ASF, African Swine Fever, in many areas neighboring us. We certainly did not intend to create alarmism - Papa and Ascolese point out - but only to urge regional decision-makers, both technical and political, not to underestimate this epidemiological emergency which could have very serious consequences to the detriment of livestock farms".
Capture plan
Starting from this assumption, the President of Coldiretti highlights how: "the national Government has given a mandate to an extraordinary Commissioner to prepare a plan for the capture, killing and disposal of wild boars valid throughout the national territory, as well as in the areas where the presence of the PSA is clear." The Plan in question, underlines Papa, "envisages the drastic reduction of wild boars, over a limited temporary period (3-5 years), with the annual removal of between 70% and 80% of the present population, addressing the problem of containment of the spread of the contagion, of which wild boars are the main vector, also taking into consideration the aspect relating to the reduction of damage to agriculture". Following specific analyzes carried out by the offices of the Extraordinary Commissioner, in agreement with the individual Regions, it is highlighted that Molise should move from an overall average annual harvest of 4.608 animals, through collective hunting, selection hunting and control in protected and huntable areas, to a number of 10.500 animals. (to date their presence in the regional territory is around 40 thousand units).
Qualification courses
“Coldiretti – observes the Director from Ascolese – despite having always been at the forefront in the fight against the plague of wild boars, promoting and carrying out two courses for the qualification of 184 'select controllers', does not go into the merits of who and how these objectives will have to be achieved, among other things well identified in the Plan, but he states with determination that if the numbers do not return the damage will not be able to continue to fall on the Molise farmers and breeders who are already severely and unjustly limited in their entrepreneurial activities from being able to make choices productive due to the presence of ungulates and other wild species". To date, however, observes Claudio Papa, "in Molise the numbers of killings obtained from collective hunting and other collection methods are absolutely insufficient and since the Plan, we reiterate, is valid for the entire national territory, even if free from African swine fever , it is necessary that President Roberti, who currently holds the specific delegation for Hunting, evaluates the opportunity to also activate in Molise the interventions useful to guarantee the decrease of the species. Naturally, we hope - concludes the President of Coldiretti - also from the Councillor, Salvatore Micone, a sharing and consequent support for the protection of farmers and agriculture in Molise" (source: Coldiretti Molise).