Hunting in derogation, at least in the Province of Perugia, was organized according to EU directives.
This was stated, without fear of denial, by the President of the Province Marco Vinicio Guasticchi, who spoke of an in-depth study on the state of health of the Storno species, conducted by the provincial body, before requesting authorization from ISPRA (Higher Institute for protection and environmental research) to the withdrawal by derogation of this species, which in Umbria is causing problems for crops - especially wine and olive groves - more and more people from year to year.
The sampling interventions on the territory of the Province of Perugia lasted until yesterday, December 15th, and made it possible to protect thousands of hectares of olive groves, vineyards and orchards, which constituted a valid response to the agricultural and hunting world, in full compliance with the Community directive on derogations.
The situation is different as regards the Finch species, traditionally hunted in Umbria before the national framework law 157 of 1992. In this case the Province has provided ISPRA with the data collected on the pace of these small migrants, thanks also to the involvement of over one thousand and 500 hunters.
However, the Institute of Bologna replied that provincial data alone are not sufficient to determine the so-called "Small quantity" to be collected, as required by letter "c" of the community directive.
Therefore, the Chaffinch was not hunted by way of derogation this year; but the Province continues its studies, making the results obtained available to both the Regional Wildlife Observatory and ISPRA.
Source: SpoletoOnline