Question from the Carroccio
The Legislative Assembly of Umbria today discussed the question for immediate response presented by the regional councilors Manuela Puletti, Valerio Mancini and Marco Castellari (Lega) on the "identification within the special conservation zones and the special protection zones, of the wet areas where there is a ban onuse of ammunition containing lead (Ramsar areas), in Umbria”. Illustrating the inspection act in the Chamber, Puletti explained that it is necessary to clarify "what actions the Council intends to undertake to remove the interpretative uncertainties remaining following the entry into force of the European regulation on the ban on the use of lead ammunition in Ramsar areas. The problem concerns the definition of 'wet areas' and consequently the perimeter of the areas in which the ban applies. A problem that seemed to be overcome by the interministerial circular, which however was canceled by the Lazio Regional Administrative Court.
Intervention times
With law 136/2023, on the initiative of the Government, the areas where the lead ban applies have been unequivocally established, allowing hunting activities to be carried out correctly in the Ramsar areas. However, uncertainty remains regarding any wetlands present in SACs and SPAs. In Umbria there are, respectively, 7 and 96. Areas where interpretation problems could arise in the presence of wetlands. Leading to disputes and fines or in any case preventing the free and peaceful exercise of hunting activity. Given the size of the SACs and SPAs in Umbria, it is essential to intervene promptly and effectively, and in close agreement with the representatives of the regional hunting associations, to avoid restrictive interventions and financial penalties to the detriment of hunters. For this reason we ask how and with what timing the councilor intends to intervene, suggesting a reconnaissance that leads to the inclusion in the regional land registry of the wetlands in Umbria where there is a ban on the use of lead ammunition".
Morroni's words
Councilor Roberto Morroni responded that: “the department has started a cartographic survey of the wetlands present within the Natura 2000 network and the protected natural areas, parks and oases. Without prejudice to the impossibility of carrying out an exhaustive census that meets the criteria set out in EU Regulation 2021/57 of the European Commission, pursuant to which wetlands also include those of a temporary nature. From a comparison with the neighboring regions, the same difficulties emerged, so much so that no cadastres or regional lists of wetland areas have been formally approved. The joint attempt by the Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry and that of the Environment to clarify the application of the EU regulation did not have the expected effects due to the rejection of the Lazio Regional Administrative Court.
Solutions for hunters
The amendment to law 157/92 which qualifies wetlands leaves no room for the Regions to further detail the matter. The topic is currently being paid attention to by the national hunting fauna technical committee which, in the next meeting on 19 December, should also bring the topic in question to the agenda. In the preparatory meeting for the meeting, currently scheduled for 14 December, the department will underline the need to identify a viable solution that allows hunters to practice hunting in absolute compliance with the law". Puletti, in his reply, positively underlined having learned that "there are actions underway regarding the question raised" and thanked the Councilor for "the reassurances given to the hunting world. However, I hope for an acceleration with respect to the definition of the situation which, although it does not depend on the Region, I hope that the department will work to arrive at a solution as soon as possible" (source: Umbria Region).