Criticism of the animal rights activists for the approval of the new Sicilian Hunting Calendar which provides for the advance in pre-opening of the hunting season while the island is devastated by fires.
In particular, the criticisms bear the signature of Enrico Rizzi of the PAE, European Animalist Party, and are addressed to the deputy of the Sicilian Regional Assembly Paolo Ruggirello who recently expressed his gratitude for the recent approval of the new Sicilian Hunting Calendar for the imminent hunting season.
According to the deputy Ruggirello, the contents of the new Hunting Calendar respect the environment and are in line with the rules that protect it; moreover, continuity is ensured to the hunting activity on the island which creates a considerable economic inducement capable of bringing about 11 million euros in revenues to the regional coffers.
Among the points of the Hunting Calendar object of criticism by animal activists would be the pre-opening period for turtledoves and wood pigeons and the possibility of hunting also in the Special Protection Areas and Special Conservation Areas; according to Rizzi it would be a mere gift to possible voters in view of the next regional elections scheduled for the end of October.
In his invective against Ruggirello the animalist makes a clear reference to the crisis situation experienced by the Region of Sicily hit by numerous fires in various areas of its territory that "have literally canceled some of the most biodiverse sites on the island".
Finally Rizzi, concluding his attack on the deputy Ruggirello hopes, “The Hon. Paolo Ruggirello should put a hand on his conscience to understand at least once the need to put in every effort to safeguard what survives of the same biodiversity, asking the Sicilian Parliament, the whole Regional Council and in particular the Regional Councilor for Agriculture and the Regional Councilor for the Territory and the Environment to immediately implement a moratorium on hunting activities throughout the region until the calamity status is mitigated and, in any case, for at least an entire hunting season ".