I climate changes are causing very serious damage to the biodiversity of our ecosystem, which is constantly threatened by numerous human activities. Among these, according to the European Union, there is no hunting activity, which if promoted with a view to sustainability can contribute to achieving the objectives of the "EU biodiversity strategy for 2030": create protected areas covering at least 30% of the EU surface, restore degraded ecosystems across the EU and more. We explored the topic together with Renata Briano, former MEP and President of the Scientific Committee of UNA Foundation (@foundationuna).
-What are the strategies most used by hunters to protect the biodiversity?
“One of the main activities of hunters right now is being at the forefront of the fight against poaching, one of the plagues affecting the conservation of biodiversity. They do this, for example, through complaints. The hunter also has the goal of conservation of species, and carries out other activities such as selection hunting, path cleaning and all environmental cleaning activities, which Fondazione UNA has among its objectives. Often the hunters are also researchers, because they participate in the censuses and they provide data that are used to monitor the health of animal species".
-How can they help the EU achieve its 2030 goals?
“Thanks to these concrete activities, the hunters are in the wake of the objectives of the European Union. Furthermore, in my opinion, the hunter must also be at the forefront of communication. The hunter is often in defense, while most people think that hunting is against biodiversity: which is not true. Europe does not mention hunting as a cause of biodiversity loss: the hunter is aware of this, but he must say it more forcefully. The hunter's commitment must also be political. I believe that the hunter can also teach a lot to the new generations. Teachings that must take place from a sustainable perspective, without extremism "(Torcha).