The antivivisection league wins the battle against the numerical control plan for some species of corvids in the province of Livorno.
The same Province of Livorno has taken steps to withdraw the plan relating to the two-year period 2011-2012 aimed at the numerical control of the population of some species of corvids, such as magpies and crows; according to the plan, 2.300 magpies and 100 crows would have to be killed over the two-year period.
The province of Livorno had issued the control plan in April of this year based on the quantification of the damage caused to agriculture by Magpies and Crows but actually without providing objective data that could support the thesis; in practice, the only justification provided concerned the excessive presence of the species in question, providing selective killing as the only solution to the problem.
According to Lav, a careful examination of the provincial document revealed numerous points of illegitimacy in full contrast with the national regulations for the protection of wildlife.
Specifically, the provincial plan provided the only solution for the killing of harmful species without, however, providing for further containment measures as provided for by article 19 of the national law 157/92 and confirmed by ISPRA with its own opinion.
On the basis of all these considerations and following the warning presented by the Lav, the Province of Livorno proceeded to withdraw the control plan in advance.