Relocation of hunting activity
The meeting on the topic took place last Friday at the Tenuta di Suvignano, in Monteroni d'Arbia, in the province of Siena. “Men, Animals and Hunting” promoted and organized by the Italian Hunting Federation, continuing on the path of relocating hunting activity in society by addressing, in a clear and balanced way, issues that highlight its role and importance in the protection of biodiversity and in the management of the territory, in addition to its full legitimacy from a cultural, ethical and legislative point of view. The choice of date and location is also not accidental: March 21, National Day of Remembrance and Commitment in Memory of the Victims of the Mafia, and Tenuta di Suvignano, confiscated from the Mafia and today a model of legality and sustainability, as underlined by all the institutional representatives present, starting from the Undersecretary to those of the Tuscany Region and the Mayor of Monteroni. A goal, the one set by Federcaccia, once again achieved by the event, which with the participation of leading figures from the hunting, institutional and academic world, highlighted the role of hunting as a legitimate and legitimized tool for managing and conserving wildlife, overcoming misinformation and ideological approaches dictated by emotion in favor of choices based on evidence and scientific data.
Value of dialogue
Giorgio Aldo Salvatori, President of the Italian Association for Wilderness, a non-animal environmentalist association that makes dialogue and the relationship with nature, an asset to be protected but also to enjoy its fruits in a sustainable and rational way, one of its foundations, introduced and moderated the works, enriching them with reflections and interventions that were always well-focused and stimulating. And the value of dialogue, in particular between hunters, institutions and farmers to best face the current and future challenges of managing wildlife, territory and the environment was underlined by Marco Salvadori, President of Federcaccia Toscana-UCT and National Vice President: "Initiatives like this represent fundamental moments to lay the foundations for new and solid relationships between all the stakeholders involved in the wildlife-environmental management of the region and beyond". On the same level also Letizia Cesani, President of Coldiretti Toscana, who reiterated how collaboration between the hunting and agricultural worlds is essential to guarantee the balance of the ecosystem and the protection of production, as well as that of the territory.
Correct relationship between man and nature
The center of the conference around which the debate then unfolded was the speech by Francesco Santilli, who in presenting his reflection offered an in-depth analysis of the function of hunting in contemporary society, starting from a historical analysis, which highlighted the conservative role and the anthropological bases of a correct relationship between man and nature. “Hunting – he stated in one of the passages – is not only an activity linked to tradition, but can represent a fundamental tool for the conservation of biodiversity and for a balanced management of wild fauna”. Balance and a holistic vision of the “environmental question” were forcefully recalled by Luca Santini, President of Federparchi, who emphasized the importance of a wildlife management based on science rather than on emotions: “We have the duty to safeguard and protect all species as a whole and not single individuals. Unfortunately, this often does not happen due to choices dictated by collective emotion. Only a rational and scientific approach can guarantee effective and sustainable management of fauna, protecting biodiversity in its entirety”. The President of Federparchi also invites us to reflect on how society and part of the protectionist and animalist world refer to a scale of priorities that relies on the appearance of the animal rather than its ecological importance.
Balance and clarity
Of great interest and clarity despite the fact that the topic is not simple in itself, the speech by Professor Angelo Lalli, professor of administrative law at Sapienza University in Rome, who wanted to clarify how the debate on animals is often amplified by the media and the result of specific political choices. In particular, on the alleged increased levels of protection resulting from the modification of Article 9 of the Constitution, a prerequisite for the extremist fringes for an exclusion of hunting from national legislation and a recognition of the animal as a legal subject, Lalli underlined its groundlessness: "Rights presuppose duties and animals, unlike humans, do not have them. Hunting is a natural and sustainable method of conservation of species, thus recognized by all international Directives and provided for by the Law of all States. It must be regulated with balance and clarity, but its legitimacy cannot in any way be questioned" he concluded.
A greater capacity for comparison
Food for thought also taken up by the National President of Federcaccia Massimo Buconi, who reaffirmed the need for "constructive dialogue and a greater capacity for discussion on concrete facts, to counter instrumental visions and build a sustainable future for hunting and its relocation in society". An intent that Federcaccia pursues through a promotion of the correct image of hunting and its management role, to protect biodiversity and species as a whole, and which also passes through stronger institutional relationships, with the agricultural and scientific worlds. A commitment to quality hunting that, alongside tradition and passion, essential pillars, redraws the role and function of the hunter. A redefinition that, however, also needs a regulatory review that provides tools and recognition to these roles and functions. "We must protect and forcefully promote our passion: only quality hunting, linked to wildlife-environmental management and supported by certain legislation, can have a future" concluded the National President.
Smart management
The meeting was closed by Senator Patrizio Giacomo La Pietra, Undersecretary of State for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, who confirmed the institutions' commitment to rational management of wildlife and the territory in close relation to the agricultural and economic sector: "This Government is working to make progress also in hunting policies, promoting intelligent and conscious management of the territory and wild fauna. We are working to update hunting regulations, to ensure effective wildlife and environmental management throughout the country" stated the Undersecretary, announcing the presentation, among others, of a Connected to the next Budget that moves precisely in this direction. Through the interventions of the speakers, the conference therefore explored the role of hunting in modern society, addressing anthropological, ecological and legislative aspects. The event represented an important opportunity for discussion on a highly topical issue, reaffirming hunting not only as a tool for managing and protecting the territory, but also as a key element for safeguarding and increasing biodiversity. An initiative that therefore fits into a current and relevant context, enhancing the hunting function in wildlife management and promoting a conscious and responsible vision of the relationship that gave it its title, that is, between man, animals and the environment.
You May Also Like ..
