Tombstone?
“For the environmental and anti-hunting associations that presented the appeal, the recent ruling by the Lazio Regional Administrative Court It would be the tombstone of the Extraordinary Plan for the Management and Containment of Wild Fauna, which, in addition to having the unacceptable goal of actively managing wildlife by limiting the numbers of excess or alien species, also has the original sin of having been desired and launched by Minister Lollobrigida. The truth is quite the opposite: with the ruling of the Lazio Regional Administrative Court, the general framework of the Plan has overcome the criticisms raised and confirmed the validity of the choices made in respecting the environment and wildlife protection." This is how Massimo Buconi, National President of Federcaccia, commented on the proliferation of pro-environmentalist press releases and articles aimed at passing off as a success what has not been.
What the ruling really says
"If we read the ruling, it's clear, even without being a jurist, that the Lazio Regional Administrative Court has ruled, beyond any possibility of misinterpretation, that the concerns of unconstitutionality raised are 'manifestly unfounded' and that the extraordinary planning activity is fully compatible with EU and national principles. The obvious and equally fully shared reference to respect for the protection of protected areas and wildlife remains," Buconi adds. The ruling goes on to fully legitimize, and therefore reject the objections raised by the appellants, the practice of selective culling both during the day and at night; the use of technical equipment such as light intensifiers, viewers, and lighting instruments to ensure effectiveness and precision. Even the provision for alternative methods to culling, which the appellants claimed was not adequately expressed in the Plan, was nevertheless deemed compliant by the judges.
A “party” that makes no sense
So what defeat are anti-hunting advocates celebrating? In reality, there is something that needs to be reconsidered, and the Regional Administrative Court, in the name of public safety, has reaffirmed the value of the prohibitions set forth in Article 21 of the Framework Law, emphasizing the validity of provisions such as the ban on shooting in the direction of homes, roads, etc., and the use of firearms in residential areas. Rapid clarification and implementation methods from the competent authorities will be needed on this point. The court also noted that generalized exemptions to EU bans on the use of non-selective trapping methods cannot be provided. The automatic exclusion of alternative methods for "para-native" species (those present before 1500 AD, such as fallow deer and wild rabbits) has been repealed, as they cannot be equated in every way with invasive alien species. Finally, the Regional Administrative Court has repealed the provision for the automatic appointment of special administration to the management bodies of regional protected areas in the event of failure to comply with the Plan within six months.
Promoted and strengthened
"Aside from these few points—important, I don't deny, but entirely secondary to the implementation of the Plan—I can only agree with those who read this ruling as a test from which the Extraordinary Plan emerges not only promoted but strengthened in its key principles and provisions. I would therefore say we can be satisfied, and the 'stop to the Lollobrigida plan' headlined in many of the partisan speeches read in recent days should be changed to 'Forward with the Extraordinary Plan,' which is more truthful and, above all, more beneficial to the country, the region, and biodiversity," concluded National President Buconi (source: Federcaccia).
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