Big disappointment
A national law that is modified, a regional law that suddenly becomes more stringent and the acquired rights of coadjutor farmers that are trampled upon. The result? In Emilia-Romagna, in this way, we are doing ourselves a great favor proliferation of wild boars, because after the last circular from the Region, the owners and conductors of agricultural land are no longer authorized to participate in the control plans for these wild animals. To do this you need a double requirement, a hunting license and having attended the coadjutor course”. This is the position taken by Confagricoltura Forlì-Cesena and Rimini regarding the legislation on the containment of wildlife. For Confagricoltura Forlì-Cesena and Rimini, the ban on owners and tenants of agricultural land from participating in control plans for wild boar hunting "hides significant risks for the proliferation of the species and of ASF (African swine fever, ed)". It is, he added, "a decision destined to cause discussion and which affects the agri-food chain which has long been fighting against the problem of wildlife, especially ungulates and wolves".
Hunting license
“We were particularly surprised when we were informed of this decision – comments Alberto Mazzoni, vice president of the association – also because it comes at a very delicate moment for the entire sector. The damage that wild animals cause to farmers is enormous, as is the risk of regionalization of our products following the ASF, the African swine fever. The concern is that of suffering very serious economic damage which would affect the competitiveness of the entire regional livestock production”. The interpretation that the Region has given to the rule adopted by the Italian Government prohibits participation in the control plans for wild boar to farmers or landowners in possession of only the license to carry a rifle and the qualification for collective hunting. For other animal species, the prohibition is aimed at those with only the license to carry a gun.
Too many wild boars in Italy
"It is certainly a hard blow for the entire regional sector - reiterates Andrea Antoniacci, head of the pig section of Confagricoltura Forlì-Cesena and Rimini - as we are facing a phenomenon which in our territory, as well as throughout the country, presents worrying numbers and that needs to be contained in some way”. According to Ispra data, presented during the conference "Wildlife and territories: knowing to manage" by Confagricoltura and the Ente Produttori di Game (EPS), in Italy there are one and a half million specimens of wild boars which, from 2015 to 2021 , have caused an annual average of damage to agriculture of more than 17 million euros.
The need for a meeting point
“Even in our areas we have seen the proliferation of ungulates which, in addition to causing damage to crops, can also spread diseases among other animals, such as African swine fever, for example. Fortunately – comments Antoniacci – we have managed for the moment to prevent this situation, but a single infection could totally blow up the entire supply chain”. It therefore becomes essential for Confagricoltura Forlì-Cesena and Rimini to be able to meet with the institutions as soon as possible“ to try to find a meeting point that can satisfy all the parties involved – adds Mazzoni -. In fact, preventive economic aid for the purchase of material such as safety nets or loudspeakers is welcome, as are support measures to help affected farmers, but the decision to reduce the number of assisting farmers remains totally inexplicable. We need to do more, with quick and concrete measures, if we want to stem the problem in time and prevent the entire sector from suffering further” (source: Confagricoltura).
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