“There are over a hundred thousand wild boars in Abruzzo with an average concentration of one specimen for every seven inhabitants, a number that worsens in the innermost areas where wildlife roams the most and has been undisturbed for years ”. Coldiretti Abruzzo says this, recalling that, "with the arrival of the hot season, an old and unfortunately unsolved problem is becoming more acute which is putting a strain on regional agriculture, in an already delicate period due to the coronavirus emergency ". "In recent weeks - writes Giulio Federici, Director of Coldiretti Abruzzo - there has been a sharp increase in night raids, with particular reference to the provinces of Pescara and Teramo, but the situation is also serious in the territories of Chieti and Aquila.
Just think of what happened a couple of days ago in Scoppito, where two people came across a group of ten wild boars risking their own safety. Wild boars, which were once relegated to inland and less inhabited areas, are now actual but unwanted residents of inhabited centers and cultivated fields. The result? Fields destroyed, months of work lost, companies that have to start over and without guarantees, indeed with the fear of seeing the work done useless once again. These agricultural animals are worse than the coronavirus ". In recent days, the alarm concerns in particular the cereal growers: fields of wheat, spelled, barley and corn are literally razed to the ground by the devastating power of herds of wild boars, even from a quintal and a half each, which arrive in groups even of 50 specimens.
According to Coldiretti, the number of wild boars has more than doubled in the last ten years, rising to 2 million in Italy and over 100 thousand in Abruzzo with particular reference to inland and mountain areas. "The excessive presence of wild animals represents a risk both for people and for theagri-food economy - adds the director - today cereals are destroyed with repercussions also on the related industries, tomorrow will be the turn of saffron, vines and vegetables and truffles. Added to this is also the problem of people's safety, very large, and the delay in the disbursement of indemnities which are inadequate and insufficient ". A situation that sometimes forces companies to leave uncultivated land, upsetting the productive structure of entire territories".
“The unbridled proliferation of wild boars - continues Coldiretti - is also putting the environmental balance of vast territorial ecosystems at risk. Studies and experiences relating to the high density of wild boars in areas of high naturalistic value have shown significant critical issues in particular with regard to the relationship between the growth of the wild population and forest vegetation ". For Coldiretti it is now a social emergency and the measures approved so far are not enough, nor the great availability shown by the mayors and by the various provincial and regional administrations. "Almost a year has passed since the last major demonstration we held in Rome to denounce the situation - adds Federici - but despite the great support received from administrations and institutions, things have not changed. It is necessary to give a concrete boost that cannot be limited to compensation to farmers for the damages received, which in any case are few and late. We need to limit the damage as much as possible, focus on culling and enhance the boar meat supply chain by transforming a problem that is now too old into an opportunity ".