We report the Honorable Member's thoughts below Barbara Mazzali, regional councilor of Lombardy, after the suspension of the hunting of wild boar in the Pavia area: “Dear hunting friends, I would like to reflect with you on the suspension of the roaming and collective wild boar hunting in the province of Pavia, the area most at risk of swine fever given the proximity to the cases recorded in Piedmont and Liguria. I know, the first reaction is that of anger if we think of our friends from Pavia. But it is necessary to stop and think with a free mind, because it is time to focus on a very important common good.
We think of our breeders, those who work the meat, those who produce cured meats, those who live on this. Swine fever represents a far-reaching economic disaster, because it affects a fundamental sector such as that of pig exports. In Lombardy 53% of all Italian animals are bred: we are talking about 4,5 million animals. This gives an idea of how disastrous a possible blockade of exports can be. Could we have prevented this situation? Certain, Lombardy region he tried and every time our decisions were contested and challenged in Rome, where blind and senseless animal rights are rampant.
Just think we have had Sergio Costa as a minister. All of this has brought us to where we are today and no matter how right we are to complain, we cannot help but take action in relation to today's situation. We cannot therefore escape from the to repair mistakes that are not ours with difficult decisions. Hence the suspension of Pavia (and the same decision was taken by Emilia Romagna for the provinces of Parma and Piacenza), to counter the arrival and spread of this disease, which is not a danger to humans but it is a disaster for the economy of our territories. We must also not forget that the Lombardy Region must also follow the European provisions. The European Commission in fact announced on 10 January its decisions regarding what is happening in Italy. This is what he said: “Italy ensures that the competent authority of that Member State immediately establishes an infected area in relation to African swine fever.
Italy ensures that i movements of consignments of pigs kept in the areas listed in the Annex as an infected zone and related products to other Member States and third countries ". Fortunately, the Pavese is not included in the infected areas, but we must protect the area because, as you have read, exports are not authorized where there is swine fever. We have to do everything not to get to this point. We must do it for the good of Lombardy, the economy, our companies and our workers. This involves the sacrifice of part of the hunt, I know. But it is time to do the right thing, albeit with great regret ".