National Action Plan 2026-2028
The regional council ofUmbria, upon the proposal of Councilor Simona Meloni, approved new provisions regarding collective wild boar hunting. This measure is part of regional and national measures to contain the species and combat the spread of African Swine Fever, consistent with the objectives set by the 2026-2028 National Action Plan. Wild boar proliferation causes serious damage to agriculture, impacts road safety, and poses a threat to livestock due to ASF. Faced with an issue with implications for wildlife, health, economics, and social welfare, the Region believes it is necessary to strengthen the effectiveness of containment efforts through more orderly planning of timing, space, and methods of intervention. The goal is to contribute to achieving the target set by the Special Commissioner: 32.500 animals to be culled in Umbria between May 2026 and April 2027.
Containment of the species
"This is an act of responsibility and planning," emphasizes Councilor Simona Meloni, "stemming from a priority: to make the containment of the species more effective, protect the agricultural sector, contribute to land safety, and strengthen prevention efforts against ASF. The Region has a duty to build a more orderly, fair, and functional system." The measure also stems from an analysis of harvest data relating to collective wild boar hunting, which shows that not all areas assigned to teams are regularly used for driven hunts. For this reason, the Region has planned a reorganization of the areas, with the aim of eliminating overlaps between the different harvest methods and also allocating space for individual hunts and group hunts.
Surface area reduction
The resolution establishes a reduction of at least 10 percent of the total area allocated to teams that, in the 2025/2026 hunting season, had more than 1.500 hectares of total land or more than 1.000 hectares of woodland. The reduction will not apply to teams that, as a result of the reduction, would fall below the 1.500-hectare threshold. The proposals will be formulated by the ATCs (Territorial Hunting Areas), taking into account the need to identify areas suitable for individual hunts and hunting trips. "This decision," Meloni clarifies, "does not introduce privileges or penalize any member of the hunting community. On the contrary, it serves to better integrate the different forms of wild boar hunting, avoiding interference that risks reducing the overall effectiveness of the harvest. Collective hunts, individual hunts, and hunting trips must each be able to perform their function within clear planning, with defined spaces and verifiable responsibilities."
The aim of the measure
For the 2026/2027 hunting season, unless otherwise provided, the ATCs will confirm the same sectors assigned to individual teams in the previous season, net of any reductions, and will not allow the registration of new teams. This measure aims to stabilize the territorial framework during the implementation of the new rules and allow for a more accurate assessment of the results achieved. The new provisions also introduce a principle of greater accountability. Field results will be evaluated on an objective basis, and teams that do not meet the harvest targets established annually by the ATCs will face further reductions in area during the 2027/2028 hunting season. Also in preparation for the 2027/2028 season, the ATCs will be required to reorganize the sectorized territory to ensure greater fairness in sector assignment.
Equilibrium criterion
"The effectiveness of the system," the councilor emphasizes, "must be measured by results. Those assigned land must be empowered to operate, but must also contribute concretely to the containment objectives. We want to introduce a criterion of balance and responsibility: better use of space, recognition of those who achieve results, and equal dignity for the various methods of hunting." The Region finally specifies that the reorganization concerns only wild boar management and does not entail restrictions for other traditional forms of hunting, which will continue to be carried out according to the current hunting calendars (source: Umbria Region).
You May Also Like ..
