The intervention of Arci Caccia
Following the entry into force of the European Regulation on the use of lead ammunition in wetlands and its interpretative circular issued by the Ministries of Agriculture and the Environment, Arci Caccia wrote to the aforementioned ministries asking for a certain identification of the wetlands where the regulation applies . A fundamental step to give certainty to hunters and prevent them from incurring penalties resulting from incorrect interpretations by the supervisory bodies.
The letter from President Maffei
Dear Ministers,
following the publication of European Regulation 57/2021 and the consequent explanatory circular issued by the competent Ministries, maps are circulating which identify the wetlands subject to the ban on the possession and use of ammunition containing lead. These maps, which have no counterpart in any official document, appear to be a further interpretation of the explanatory circular. This dissemination of information, not supported by specific legislation, risks generating confusion and serious disputes for hunters.
The sanctioning regime
It would also be necessary to urgently investigate the issue of the "safety zone" envisaged in the 100 meters around the wetlands covered by the ban, which should, in some way, be signaled on the territory to protect everyone, especially those who risk heavy penalties. Furthermore, we would like to inform you that the most diverse interpretations are beginning to circulate in the Regions also on the sanctioning regime; also with respect to this case a central clarification intervention would be useful. For all of this, we believe it is necessary to draw up a provision - Decree-law - which, in concert with the State-Regions Conference, "cartographically" identifies the areas to be subjected to the discipline of Regulation 57/2021, agreeing with the Management Bodies of the various areas on a adequate tabulation. The "mapping" shouldn't be particularly difficult since, surely, many of the wetlands that will be identified will already be forbidden to hunt, or already affected - due to regional provisions - by the ban on the use of lead ammunition.
We reiterate that all this is necessary to guarantee safety and a minimum of certainty in the exercise of hunting activity, acknowledging that European legislation exists and that the debate relating to "no-toxic ammunition" is by now irreversible and regards equally hunters, sports shooters, industrial fabric and land management bodies. Thanking you in advance for what can be done, I send best regards (Christian Maffei).