As disclosed by the Administrative Justice Council, hunting in Sicilian territory will close next 31st January. Furthermore, it will be forbidden to kill wild rabbits (the main species for hunters on the island) until that time, after the confirmation of a ruling by the Regional Administrative Court that accepted the appeal of Legambiente, LIPU and WWF. In February, therefore, it will not be possible to practice hunting and the CGA has entrusted in this case to a full professor of Zoology of the University of Palermo.
According to the provisions of this ordinance, the opinion of the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) can be rejected but only with clear and specific data that can be objectively verified. This means that the reasons considered too general are not taken into consideration. Also, don't forget the application of the precautionary principle.
The technical advice of the university professor, then, will have to take into account future hunting seasons, with the collection of the rabbit that will necessarily have to leave from 1 October. The environmental and animal welfare associations have obviously rejoiced over this novelty and are expecting a new orientation of the provisions of the Italian regions.