A long-standing problem
The Honorable Maria Cristina Caretta of Fratelli d'Italia, Vice President of the Agriculture Commission at Montecitorio, has released the following press release in the last few hours: “The approval of the wolf downgrading from an absolutely protected species to a simply protected species, decided by the Permanent Committee for the Bern Convention in its annual meeting, is great news for a more sustainable and reactive management of a problem that for too many years has been causing economic damage and insecurity, affecting our rural areas, but also the most urbanized areas".
Management plans
The note continues: "The adaptation of the Habitats Directive will now be fundamental, which, in a cascade, will have to be followed by the adaptation of national regulations, but it will finally be possible to arrive at wolf management plans that are adequate for the needs of the territories. I thank my colleague Pietro Fiocchi who in Brussels and Strasbourg has brought forward an important front on a battle that is undoubtedly difficult, but where finally many sensibilities are changing and taking note of what needs to be done".
What is the Berne Convention?
The Bern Convention is better known as the Convention for the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. It was drawn up in 1979 and became effective on 1 June 1982. It was implemented in Italy, however, with Law No. 503 of 5 August 1981.