The result is alarming to say the least: ungulates, including wild boars, “eat” 10 thousand euros of Tuscan agricultural production every day; almost a year ago the overall damage due to lost turnover in the agri-food sector was about four million euros.
The dossier describes countryside besieged by ungulates that threaten Tuscan crops : wild boars have invaded the Maremma, roe deer roam undisturbed in the Siena countryside, mouflons are devastating entire vineyards on the island of Giglio, and forests are being destroyed by deer in the Pistoia mountains, causing serious economic and environmental damage. The estimated number of wild boars is approximately 300, although the regional government apparently has different figures. There are 153 roe deer, 8.800 fallow deer, 3.600 red deer, and 2.500 mouflon.
In addition to the damage caused by ungulates, especially in the Maremma area, there is also the increasingly frequent predatory incursions by wolves on flocks , as well as the damage caused by non-huntable species.
Finally, there is talk of road safety risks posed by wild animals crossing roads, often causing accidents, and of health risks due to the fact that all these animals, roaming undisturbed, are often carriers of parasites and infectious diseases.
In light of all the issues raised, the president of the CIA Toscana, Giordano Pascucci, then specified, "In the ongoing discussion on the Regional Wildlife and Hunting Plan, it is necessary to promote a plan that marks a clear break with the past through a new wildlife management project for 2012-2015."
Continuing, the president added, " Planning means developing a project that begins with identifying and quantifying problems, then defines the objectives to be achieved, as well as the intermediate objectives; the actions to be implemented; and the methods for assessing results." Furthermore, Pascucci continued, "If you don't point the way," added the CIA president, "if you don't guide the process, it's completely pointless to put numbers in place."
CIA calls for a series of drastic interventions aimed at preventing the excessive presence of ungulates in the countryside and woodlands, encouraged by extensive protected areas and wildlife institutes. Therefore, CIA Toscana calls for a significant reduction in these designated areas as well as sound planning of actions aimed at achieving sustainable densities in designated areas and consequently eradicating them from unsuitable areas.
With these measures, it would be possible to reduce damage through greater efforts to prevent it and thus be able to guarantee full compensation for the damage suffered by agriculture as well as manage all wildlife, including non-huntable species.
Continuing his remarks, Pascucci stated, "We want clear guidance from the Tuscany Region. After having updated its wildlife management laws in recent years, finally equipping itself with tools for efficient management, the Region is now called upon, with the Regional Wildlife and Hunting Plan, to fully implement those regulations, moving decisively to restore balance to wildlife, currently out of control in many areas, and to ensure the sustainability of agriculture. To achieve this, we need continuity and courage in our decisions, and determination in their implementation."
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