Farmers' cooperative Cofruits responds to criticism from environmentalists regarding the idea of rewarding hunters who cut down jays with apples.
Cofruits responds with a letter to the criticisms received from environmental associations and on Facebook for the idea of rewarding hunters who cut down jays with apples. “We turn to you - affirms the president Attilio Fassin - with the intention of establishing a fruitful dialogue aimed at giving adequate answers to the problem”.
The Saint-Pierre cooperative emphasizes that “many families, even young couples, derive their livelihood from working in the fields alone. This year, some of these will harvest a quantity of apples close to zero; others will end up with production reduced by around 40 per cent. The cause? A considerable presence of jays, birds that feed on fruit, but also on vegetables ”.
The proposal to hire hunters, the letter continues, is “completely legal as it integrates the Control Institute sanctioned by the National Wildlife Institute of Bologna and is recognized by the Autonomous Region of Valle d'Aosta complete with a decree.
The containment and control of the jays it would be concretized by the agents of the Forestry Corps with the help of hunters, people trained and equipped with gun permits. We are, however, fully available to review our program, as long as the counterparties participate in the "table" with feasible and definitive projects ".
Attilio Fassin analyzes the possible solutions to the presence of jays. The protection nets, suggested by Legambiente, present "positioning difficulties (remember that we are dealing with mountain farming)" and, adds the president of the cooperative, would also trap other birds that feed on plant parasites. The bollards, on the other hand, have already been deployed in some areas, with the result that "jays, over time, not associating the noise with a real danger, ignore them and continue to raid fruit".
“Our apples are not 'bloody', but decimated by the natural instinct of these animals. Let's see, together, to adopt harmonious, valid measures and protagonists of a sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture ”concludes the president of Cofruits.
Source: AostaOggi.it