African swine fever
Following the crisis table of last October 27, the Regional Federation of Coldiretti officially requested from the Region, in the person of the Vice-President and Councilor for Agriculture Alessandro Piana, a forecast about the slaughter of wild boars for the period 2022/2023. "Based on the critical issues that emerged during the aforementioned meeting inspired by the hunters, first of all the excessive bureaucracy applied in the containment of the ASF - explains Coldiretti Liguria - we have the perception, not to say almost the certainty, that the number of 35.451 wild boars of which the abatement would be envisaged will be disregarded by the Region itself".
The historic moment
In such a delicate period for the safety of Liguria, in which numerous limits persist for producers in the red area, where it is not yet possible to raise pigs, with consequent and inevitable loss of income, "we consider it absurd - pursue Gianluca Boeri and Bruno Rivarossa, President of Coldiretti Liguria and Confederal Delegate - that the Liguria region has not envisaged supplementary measures for the eradication of African swine fever on the regional territory”. Like Coldiretti, already on the occasion of 27 October, “we underlined our firmest will not to compromise. The huntable contingent cannot and must not go below the 35.451 animals envisaged by the PRIU".
The support of institutions is essential
The institutions must take note of this and find an alternative way to carry out these operations, which are fundamental for the safety of citizens, farmers and breeders of Liguria, “going as far as deploying the army if necessary. We must protect and secure the territory”. The problems related to the damage caused by ungulates weigh more and more on Liguria. All in an inversely proportional manner with respect to the quotas included in the PRIU. Therefore, this trend needs to be reversed. Alternatively we will obtain a further increase in ungulates and the consequent increase in the damage associated with them. “Today wild boars not only represent the main vehicle for the spread of African swine fever (ASF), but, with over 2,3 million animals besieging cities and countryside, they put the safety of all citizens at risk. Liguria experiences a concrete danger every day in terms of both economics and the protection of individuals and crops, as well as for road safety, with growing reports of devastated crops and accidents on our roads".
The exhortation of Coldiretti Liguria
By virtue of this, the Ligurian Regional Federation has urged the Region to carry out "in the various Territorial Hunting Areas (ATC) - conclude Boeri and Rivarossa - a precise estimate of the killings for the current hunting season compared to those foreseen by the PRIU". And, presuming that these will not be enough, Coldiretti Liguria also urged the institutions to "immediately contact the relevant ministerial offices and the Extraordinary Commissioner for the prevention and containment of ASF, Angelo Ferrari. In this way we will be able to implement all the aforementioned containment and culling measures for ungulates as soon as possible and in an optimal way" (source: Coldiretti)