Hunting accidents: the Government responded to the parliamentary question presented by the Hon. Ceccacci Rubino on the possible limitations that can be adopted to prevent hunting accidents.
To answer thequestioned by Ceccacci Rubino in question was the undersecretary inside Saverio Ruperto, in accordance with what was communicated by the Ministries of the environment and the interior: "With reference to the problems inherent in accidents occurring during hunting and other situations related to hunting, we agree the concern and need for greater attention, both during hunting and for the custody of weapons. With regard to the possession of long-barreled weapons, it should be noted that the number of rifle port licenses for hunting purposes issued or renewed in Italy has remained substantially stable in recent years, settling at around 800 units. However, none of the databases used by the police forces is able to process data on the average age of hunters ”.
Continuing Ruperto explained, "As regards the problems connected with the verification of the possession of the required physical and psychological requirements by people who legitimately carry weapons - issues that are constantly under the attention of the Ministry of the Interior - the modification of the legislation introduced with the legislative decree n. 204 of 2010, concerning the transposition of Directive 2008/51 / EC, which entered into force on 1 July 2011. In particular, it provides for the issue of a decree by the Minister of Health, adopted in consultation with the Minister of the Interior, with which the methods of ascertaining the psycho-physical requirements for suitability for the acquisition, possession and achievement of any firearms license, including that for hunting use, will be re-regulated.
It is also added that, according to the regulations in force, for the purpose of issuing the license to carry weapons for hunting, for self-defense and so on, it is necessary to present the certificate of suitability for handling weapons, issued by a section of National Shooting, with the exception of those who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces of the State, for whom technical fitness is presumed.
From this specific point of view, taking into account that, in many cases, those who practice hunting have served as military service in a very distant period of time, in the aforementioned legislative decree n.204 of 2010 a provision amending the 'article 8 of the aforementioned law no. 110 of 1975, with which the presumed technical suitability for the handling of weapons will operate only in favor of those who have served in the Armed Forces or in one of the armed forces of the State in the ten years prior to the presentation of the first application for the issue of the title of Police.
As far as hunting surveillance is concerned, it is represented that this activity is entrusted, according to the provisions contained in the law n.157 of 1992, concerning rules for the protection of homeothermic wildlife and for hunting, to the agents and officers who cover the qualifications of judicial police and voluntary hunting guards belonging to hunting, agricultural and environmental protection associations. These tasks are mainly carried out by the State Forestry Corps and by agents and officers of the police corps dependent on the provinces. As regards the safety distance for shooting, it should be noted that this is already adequately governed by article 21 of the aforementioned law.
In relation to the search for bloodless methods for the containment of surplus or problematic fauna species, based on the provisions contained in article 19 of law n.157 of 1992, it is specified that the use of cruel means constitutes the extreme solution that can be adopted only for following negative results on other possible ones, to be carried out with ecological methods. In such situations, the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) evaluates case by case, following specific studies, and can authorize a control plan which may also include the use of firearms.
As regards the release into nature of problematic species and those to be contained, the plans for the introduction of wild fauna are evaluated and approved by the provinces and concern the repopulations carried out within the territorial areas of hunting and wildlife-hunting companies, based on to regional laws, often also with the expression of opinion by ISPRA. In this regard, it should be noted that this institute does not recommend the release of problematic game, even if huntable, which could harm biodiversity. Furthermore, a proposal to amend the current legislation in which the prohibition of placing wild boars on the territory would be envisaged, is being examined by the Ministry of the Environment and the Protection of the Territory and the Sea and the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies. penalty for offenders.
Finally, with regard to the access of hunters within private funds, according to the provisions of article 842 of the civil code, it should be remembered that an amendment to the law has already been proposed numerous times and is currently being examined by Parliament ”.
19 December 2012