Claims for damages from wildlife, in the territory of Gargano National Park, grew by 200%. In the last year, agricultural and agro-zootechnical companies have submitted claims for compensation for a total amount of about 300 thousand euros. "On this and other issues, we had an open and fruitful discussion with the president Pasquale Pazienza, to whom we have also delivered a document with our proposals to address the most important issues for farmers ", explained Nicola Cantatore, provincial director of Co. Captained. “With the increase in the number of wild boars and wolves, the cases of damage to farmers and ranchers. In the Park area, there is a need for a task force to work to put a stop to the multiplication of wild boars and wildlife, ”said Cantatore.
"The owners and tenants of agricultural land must have the right to full compensation for the loss actually suffered," added Michele Ferrandino, provincial president of Cia Capitanata. "The compensation for wildlife damage it cannot fall within the scope of the European Union regulations on state aid and must be removed from the de minimis regime ". The president of the Gargano Park explained that even wild dogs represent a problem that the Authority is facing with the ASL, asking that sterilization and control of the same. In addition to damage from wildlife, at the center of the meeting held with Pazienza and the document delivered to the President of the Park there are also the prohibition of burning crop residues, the role of agricultural entrepreneurs to protect the rural territory from fires, the drought emergency, communication between the institution and citizens for a better circulation of information.
The stubble burning technique not only does not detract from the soil's fertility, as demonstrated by numerous scientific publications, but it is almost indispensable for the preparation of the land: it is very valid in terms of eliminating pathogens and pests in general. An exception by the Puglia Region is urgently required from the law in force, such as to allow burning in limited daily quantities, during the non-prohibition period even in Sic and Zps areas, subject to direct control and responsibility of the agricultural entrepreneur as responsible for the related operations. "Pazienza informed us that he has already asked the Puglia Region to grant the derogation". As for actions to combat forest fires, it is important the role played for centuries by agricultural and agro-zootechnical enterprises as custodians and maintainers of the rural territory. An important and unfortunately not fully recognized role.
CIA Italian Farmers of Puglia proposes the possibility of stipulating special agreements with agricultural entrepreneurs in possession of adequate equipment and available to guarantee, for a period of not less than 4 months, the control of certain areas in order to prevent fires. The climate changes now underway must make us reconsider the important role played by agro-zootechnical companies in the rugged and wild territory of the Gargano. It will be necessary to stipulate with the Gargano mountain reclamation consortium and with the professional agricultural organizations, special service supply agreements, to guarantee the survival of the businesses and related livestock settlements in that area during these periods and the protection of the territory (Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno).