Wildlife and hazards
Wildlife endangers public safety and costs dearly to agricultureEmilia Romagna. Confagricoltura estimates almost 3 million annual damage caused by huntable species (primarily ungulates, hares and pheasants) and non-huntable species (geese, woodpeckers, cormorants and more), without prejudice to the growing attacks on livestock and domestic animals by the wolf: a problem too underrated. "Act quickly so that the objectives of the annual sampling plans approved by the Region are respected - declares the regional agricultural organization -. As regards the wild boar, which is a dangerous animal both for humans and for the local economy as it represents the main vehicle for the spread of African swine fever, the target was not reached in 2020 (out of 30.000 , 21.000 were actually killed), and not even in 2021: only 26.000 animals were taken out of the 34.000 indicated in the Plan.
The opinion of Confagricoltura
In our opinion - proposes Confagricoltura Emilia Romagna - it is necessary to strengthen the self-defense measures of the farmer which have so far given good results and to allow the use of a greater number of assistants, authorized hunters. It is also essential to activate new qualification courses throughout the territory ». To compensate farmers, according to the Report drawn up by the regional Confagricoltura, 1.790.000 euros of public money were spent in 2021 - a sum that includes the amounts paid by the Emilia Romagna Region (1.140.000 euros) and by the ATC-Territorial areas of hunting for the damages caused by the fauna that can be hunted in the respective territory of competence (about 650.000 euros) -, but the loss of product actually suffered by agricultural and zootechnical companies was far greater. In fact, in the amount of compensation, the damage was underestimated, and particularly valuable agricultural products were not taken into account (organic, transformation and direct marketing of quality products, etc.).
De minimis limit
To the total calculated, the analysis continues, we must therefore add at least +15% (268.500 euros). And not only. To get closer to reality, the figure must be further increased by 30% (617.550 euros), in consideration of the fact that many companies have not been able to access the contribution due to exceeding the "de minimis" limit. "In summary, in 2021, the extent of damage to regional agriculture from wild, huntable and protected fauna amounted to 2.676.050 euros and for 2022 - concludes Confagricoltura Emilia Romagna - we can certainly confirm the annual growth trend for the period 2019-2021 (+25-30%), given the constant worsening of the situation and the massive presence of wild animals not only in the hills and mountains but also in the plains, weighed down by the severe drought which forced, for example, wild boars to descend to the valley in search of food especially in the fields of wheat, corn, potatoes and sorghum. Which has seen hares invade nurseries, attack land cultivated with vegetables, soybeans and sunflowers without sparing orchards and vineyards. Which has witnessed the proliferation of a "new" non-huntable species, the wild goose, especially in the provinces of Ferrara, Modena and Bologna, so harmful as to decimate arable crops already suffering from the African heat and water stress" (source : Confagricoltura).