ENPA, LAV and LIPU issued a joint statement to denounce an article of the reform project of the reads 394 of the 1991 on protected areas and currently under discussion at the Senate Environment Commission. The problem complained of by the associations is represented by "Delivery of Italian protected areas to hunters", a situation that is considered capable of causing enormous damage to nature and to the use of the parks themselves. The text to which reference is being made is the so-called "Framework Law on protected areas" and the controversial article the tenth. In the note of the associations we talk about the profound change to which the wildlife control regime in the areas, with the consequent elimination of the ecological methods that are foreseen.
For the National Animal Protection Agency, the Anti-Vivisection League and the Italian Bird Protection League hunting, killing, capture and eradication will be disguised by the word "control" and they will become the only ways to solve problems. Another detail that is not convincing is the absence of time limits as regards the abatement activities, a factor that would suggest controls at any time of the year, even in the most delicate biological phases (such as bird nesting).
Furthermore, associations are concerned that there are no limits even in relation to the species to be controlled, a detail that would also include the wolf. The text does not even like the lack of reference to the so-called "Birds Directive" and the possibility of hunting exemptions with very strict procedures. The statement underlines how the new text will not allow anyone to understand how to behave for the granting of this derogation, that is to say the rules to be respected, the identification and quantification of damages and the alternative systems to abatement to be adopted.
The judgment of ENPA, LAV and LIPU is mandatory, the legislative changes do not want to address faunal problems with science and intelligence, leaving everything in the hands of the guns. The scenario presented in the note is precise: the associations fear that there will be hunting in the parks for twelve months in a row and in disguise of a wildlife control. The fact is considered very serious and endorsed by regulatory technicalities. The request to the Government, both to the majority and to the opposition, is to stop the text as soon as possible and to wrest the Italian territory from the "Hunting lobby" and to those who are lending themselves to their side. The position is clear and undoubtedly there will be no waiting for answers and replies in the next few hours and days.