Wild boars, starlings and nutria in the Italian fields are alarmed

The Agriculture Commission of the Chamber concludes an investigation into the phenomenon of damage to agriculture caused by wildlife

Wild boars, starlings and otters in the Italian fields are alert and in the face of the request for help launched by farmers, the XIII Agriculture Commission of the Chamber of Deputies has carried out and completed a maxi fact-finding survey aimed at acquiring complete information on the phenomenon of damage caused by wildlife to agricultural and livestock production, on the type, geographical location and economic quantification of the damage reported, on the damaged crops and on the animal species concerned, as well as on the activity carried out by the competent administrations and on the set of tools referred to they availed themselves, with reference to the indemnities requested and paid.

During the survey, which lasted several months, all the protagonists of the sector were heard: environmental associations, hunting associations, representatives of agricultural professional organizations, as well as the Union of the provinces of Italy, the national association of municipalities of Italy and representatives of the Conference of Regions.
From the hearings carried out during the survey, first of all, a general framework of analysis emerged which highlighted the alarming dimension assumed by the issue of damage to agriculture by wildlife and the evident impact of its implications on the economic activity of wild animals. agricultural enterprises.

The need for a new and more effective wildlife management and control policy by the competent institutions has been stressed by many, changing the approach adopted up to now: it is no longer just a question of managing wildlife. for purely wildlife-hunting purposes, but rather to find a way to rebalance its presence according to social and economic needs.
The survey therefore constitutes an important place for discussion on agriculture, hunting and environmental protection, activities that can positively interact with each other for the management of the territory.

Despite the diversity of the positions expressed by the subjects heard, the common will to renew some principles of the wildlife-hunting planning of the territory and of the planning of hunting activities was evident, adapting them to the recent guidelines of Community agricultural policy, taking into account the new instruments of environmental protection provided for by the European Union and enhancing the multifunctionality of agricultural businesses.
From this survey, the Agriculture Commission, chaired by the Hon. Paolo Russo who had the Hon. Monica Faenzi, made a series of proposals and suggestions that will be illustrated during the press conference on Tuesday 26 July 2011.
“Important results have been achieved, also thanks to the sensitivity to this problem shown by the President of the Commission, Hon. Russo - explains the Hon. Faenzi -. A national problem that irreparably damages the production of our farmers. Thanks to the collaboration of all the associations and the farmers themselves, we tried to give certain answers to the sector. This investigation will in fact form the basis for a legislative proposal on the subject ".

With regard to the damage caused by ungulates, it emerged during the investigation that the causes that favored the expansion are, among others, the immissions for hunting purposes, which began in the 50s, carried out in an unscheduled manner and without taking into account of the basic principles of wildlife planning and health prophylaxis.
"Therefore, the option of introducing bans - explains the rapporteur Faenzi -, of placing additional specimens of fauna on the territory for the species whose population imbalance has been ascertained, in particular the wild boar, must be considered, which cause serious damage to agricultural production ".
The Commission explains in its conclusions that it is necessary to adopt a national strategy for wild boar management which, while respecting the different institutional purposes, is based on an appropriate harmonization and coordination of the interventions that are carried out in the protected areas, in the contiguous areas. , in public and private hunting areas. All this through structural investments and, in particular, through a careful verification and analysis of the management methods of some activities, such as breeding, which can no longer take place in the wild. In the most alarming situations, the possibility of containment and capture actions must also be evaluated.
On the one hand, we are thinking of providing a system of damage prevention measures by encouraging agricultural enterprises with an adequate support system; on the other hand, to review the system of assessment and compensation of damages through a complete reintegration of the loss of income for the farmer. In this regard, regional and local administrations also need to make an effort to implement adequate prevention measures. To deal with compensation, a system is being studied for the coverage of wildlife damage through the establishment of a special section of the National Solidarity Fund for natural disasters.
The Commission will now examine the legislative proposals presented on the phenomenon of damage caused by wildlife, addressing the issue comprehensively and transposing some of those proposed into law.