“Hunting is not a hobby or a sport, a way to fill free time. Hunting is culture, like agriculture and pastoralism. Unfortunately today hunters are penalized by the uncertainty of the law ”. “Every year you have to pay the state from 173 to 500 euros. But then how is this money used? ". To clarify the situation of the approximately 700 Italian hunters to the weekly I Tempi is Gian Luca Dall'Olio, president of the Italian Federation of Hunting, the most representative of the Italian hunters' associations.
In many regions, the season starts late and ends early due to the new regulations and appeals presented by many environmental associations to the TAR.
How is the so-called "hunting calendar" established?
The reference legislation for Italy is still 157/92, which also fixes the times and species that can be hunted but in 2010 everything changed.
Why?
In 2010 the community law changed and article 18 was modified, according to which during the pre-nuptial migration of birds it is not possible to hunt. Thus a balanced compromise that had lasted for 18 years for the predicted species was subverted. At the same time, Ispra has issued guidelines by bringing forward the closing date of the hunting season to 31 December for some species, instead of the end of January, and postponing the opening for others, applying a principle of caution in the absence of reliable scientific data.
Where do the problems come from?
Ispra's opinion is not binding, but environmentalists often use it to challenge hunting calendars in front of the Tar. On the other hand, it is the “Birds Directive” I mentioned earlier that has value, accompanied by an interpretative guide that has the force and value of a supranational statute being an emanation of the European Commission. And it is the one that the hunting associations, Federcaccia included, have placed as a reference to the attention of the Regions. The reality today is that there is a clear legal uncertainty that penalizes hunting, many hunters and the very activity of the Regions.
What do hunters ask for?
We want certainties, a certain discipline. We therefore ask that the legislator intervene, also through a process of consultation between the parties if necessary. But we must return to a regulatory framework that gives certainty to hunting, hunters and public administrations.
Why is there so much mistrust of hunting?
Because it is a little known phenomenon. But also the whole hunting system must make the matter more known from the point of view of environment, biodiversity, wild species and state of conservation. We need precise data on these issues. Hunting is also a practice that should be recovered, not hindered, paying more attention to biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Which is very different from the environmentalism of certain associations.
How many hunters are there in our country?
In the eighties there were 1 million and 700 thousand, today the members of the hunting associations have dropped to 700 thousand, plus another percentage not registered. The state that has the highest number of hunters, on the other hand, is France, with 1 million and 300 thousand people.
How much does the hunting license cost?
The government tax to be paid each year, to carry out hunting activities, costs 173,16 euros. To this are added regional concessions, registrations to one or more Atc, up to around 500 euros in some regions. The problem is not so much the expenses, even in other countries there is a license to be paid to the state, the problem is that while other countries use these amounts for the organization and management of the environment, fauna and biodiversity, we do not he knows how they are spent. Maybe we should worry about this aspect.
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October 24, 2013
Source: The Times
