Drastic reduction of resources
“Wildlife management in Abruzzo "This represents one of the most serious emergencies for the regional agricultural sector today, yet the center-right majority continues to demonstrate total inaction in the face of a situation that is now out of control. Rather than intervene with concrete measures, the Regional Council has even opted for a drastic reduction in resources: in the 2025 budget, funds allocated for compensation to the agricultural and livestock sectors have been cut by 60%. This reduction of over €260 leaves just €180 available, further exacerbating an already severely compromised situation." This was stated in a statement by the Vice President of the Regional Council, Antonio Blasioli, and Dino Pepe, former Councilor for Agricultural Policies, commenting on the resolution implementing budget cuts to cover the healthcare deficit.
“A real slap in the face for farmers”
According to Democratic Party councilors, this decision represents a real slap in the face to Abruzzo farmers who have seen their businesses brought to their knees by the damage caused by wild fauna. "We cannot fail to recall," they stated, "the recent hearings at the Conference of Group Leaders of four sector associations (Confagricoltura, CIA, Copagri, and LiberiAgricoltori). They delivered 10 signatures from exasperated farmers to Regional Council President Lorenzo Sospiri, making specific requests, in the presence of Agriculture Councilor Emanuele Imprudente, for more effective management of the problem.
Three-year period 2025-2027
Last but not least, a proposed amendment to the regional law governing hunting and the protection of wild fauna. To date, none of the commitments made there have been fulfilled, Blasioli and Pepe continue. Instead, already insufficient resources continue to be cut without concrete and well-founded guidance on how and where to find the necessary funds. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture has suffered a reduction of approximately €2025 million (€2027 million) for the three-year period 4-3,7, and there is no certainty about the available resources. These resources, however, are essential for supporting Abruzzo's primary sector and ensuring essential services for farmers. The situation regarding contributions is becoming increasingly dire: during these six years of center-right government, compensation payments have been drastically reduced, with reimbursements covering barely 6-15% of the damage actually found. Faced with this inadequate system, many farmers have stopped even filing complaints, completely disheartened by a mechanism that offers them no protection whatsoever.
Self-defense measures
A change of pace is urgently needed. A consistent, transparent, and constantly updated monitoring system based on shared and recognized scientific criteria must be implemented. Only through this approach will it be possible to properly calibrate actions, evaluate results, and finally make the relationship between wildlife, the landscape, and business activities transparent. Timely and adequate compensation must also be guaranteed for all damage caused by wildlife. Budget funds for compensation were already severely insufficient; following the 60% cut, these resources have been further reduced, and must therefore be restored immediately. It is also essential to incentivize self-defense measures for farmers: prevention must be supported with adequate resources for the installation of fencing, effective deterrent systems, and specific protection for livestock and crops.
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Too many bureaucratic obstacles
The demands of Abruzzo's agricultural community must be implemented immediately, starting with a comprehensive review of regional laws regarding the management and regulation of damage caused by wild fauna and hunting, also with a view to definitively removing the bureaucratic obstacles that prevent farmers from actively participating in decisions that directly affect them. This is also because the problem of wildlife management not only concerns the protection of crops and agricultural production, but also involves the safety of people, as unfortunately demonstrated by the numerous and increasingly frequent road accidents caused by the uncontrolled presence of wild animals on our roads. "The center-right majority," the Democratic Party regional councilors conclude, "has a duty to assume its responsibilities and provide concrete responses to an emergency that can no longer be ignored or addressed with indiscriminate cuts to resources. Abruzzo's farmers deserve respect and effective solutions, not yet another demonstration of inaction and superficiality." (Source: Abruzzo Regional Council)
