The expected fine
“With this legislative intervention we intend to put an end to sabotage and guarantee safer and more effective activities for the containment and eradication of nutria.” This was stated by Lombardy regional councilor Paola Bulbarelli of the Brothers of Italy party, commenting on the Agriculture Committee's approval of her amendment to bill 144, which introduces a new Article 5-bis into Regional Law 20/2002, aimed at penalizing anyone who obstructs coypu containment and eradication efforts. “The amendment provides for an administrative fine of €100 to €500 for anyone who tampers with, opens without authorization, damages, or interferes in any way with cages and devices used in duly authorized containment operations,” Councilor Paola Bulbarelli specifies.
Concrete support
"The nutria is an invasive species that continues to cause significant damage to agricultural land, riverbanks, and hydrogeological safety," explains Bulbarelli. "Operators and municipalities need rapid and immediate tools to operate. With this measure, we are providing them with concrete support, preventing the need for criminal prosecution for even minor violations. Administrative sanctions are more effective, more timely, and more in line with local needs."
How the investigations will be carried out
"The law explicitly defines the activities of trapping, killing, monitoring, and managing the devices as being of public utility. Violations will be verified through a report by authorized personnel, in accordance with Law 689/1981. However, in the most serious cases, it remains possible to proceed with Articles 340 (interruption of public service) and 650 of the Criminal Code, where the conditions are met," continues Councilor Bulbarelli. "Traps and control devices cannot be subjected to sabotage that puts entire territories at risk. With this law, we are filling a gap and strengthening Lombardy's operational capacity to combat an invasive species that causes significant environmental and economic damage."
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