Defining the criteria
The Veneto Regional Council has approved the allocation of over €660, updating the compensation rates for damages caused by large carnivores and defining the compensation criteria. Let's look at the two measures in detail.
Regional Government Resolution No. 324/2026: Allocation of Financial Resources
With Resolution No. 324 of May 5, 2026 (published in the Official Journal No. 62 of May 15, 2026), the Regional Council approved the allocation of resources earmarked for compensation for damage caused by large wild carnivores and wildlife (pursuant to Regional Law No. 6/2013 and the Agreement with AVEPA). The total budget mobilized for the 2026 financial year is €663.076,18, consisting of €520.000,00 in new regional appropriations and €143.076,18 already available to AVEPA as a residue from previous years. The allocation has been specifically divided into three lines of intervention:
€505.000,00 to compensate for damage caused by large wild carnivores (such as wolves and bears) to agricultural and livestock production throughout the region.
€143.076,18 (funds already held by AVEPA) reserved for contributions for damage caused by wild fauna to agricultural production in areas closed to hunting activities.
€15.000,00 to finance interventions to prevent damage to agricultural crops in protected areas, in addition to the soon-to-be-issued 2026 prevention call (in line with Regional Government Resolution no. 945/2020 and Article 26 of Law no. 157/1992).
Note on compensation rates: For damages in areas closed to hunting and for prevention, contributions are based on 100% of prevention costs. For damages suffered, the maximum rates applied are 90% for damages up to €2.500,00 and 60% for the excess amount, up to a maximum of €50.000,00 per beneficiary (agricultural de minimis regime).
Regional Government Resolution No. 325/2026: Update of Compensation Criteria
With Resolution No. 325 of May 5, 2026 (also published in the Official Journal No. 62 of May 15, 2026), the Region updated the criteria for the economic evaluation and payment of de minimis contributions for damage caused by predation by large carnivores on livestock production and beekeeping. The criteria incorporate the latest EU regulations on State aid in agriculture (EU Regulation No. 1408/2013, as amended by EU Regulation No. 3118/2024). The update incorporated the proposals of the Veneto Regional Livestock Breeders' Association (ARAV) to adjust the market values of predated animals, taking into account certain macroeconomic and health issues:
Sheep and Goats and Biodiversity: The economic value of the region's native sheep breeds at risk of extinction (such as the Alpagota and Brogna), which were severely affected by the Bluetongue (serotype BTV8) epidemic in the summer of 2025, has been updated. The calculation now includes not only the market value, but also the biological and conservation value of the breed.
Cattle: the prices for the categories with the highest commercial demand have been updated and a new specific compensation value has been introduced for cross-breed milk/beef calves (called “Beef on Dairy”), in addition to the adjustment for cross-breed beef cattle.
Beekeeping: The values have been partially revised following technical analyses conducted directly with the involvement of professional and hobbyist beekeepers.
Camelids and Livestock Guard Dogs: For injured or preyed-up livestock guard dogs, the damage assessment will be handled directly by the regional offices based on the breeder's documents. For camelids (e.g., alpacas), given the scarcity and extreme variability of breeds across the region, no fixed tables are established; instead, a criterion based on the closest market value of the predator will be applied.
Equines: the table values already defined for the previous year remain valid.
Finally, the provision specifies that the criteria established by the previous Regional Government Resolution No. 349/2025 will continue to apply to applications submitted in 2025 and not yet paid (source: Coldiretti Verona).
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