Free zone
Good news for Basilicata: the European Commission has officially decided to downgrade the restriction zones linked to the African swine fever (Psa) in as many as 25 Lucanian municipalities. Twenty municipalities move from the level 1 restriction zone to a free zone, while another five move from level 2 to level 1. A result that confirms the improvement in the health situation in the area and the recognition of the great work carried out in collaboration between institutions and operators in the sector. Currently, therefore, there are only nine municipalities that are in restriction zones (all in the level I zone): Marsico Nuovo, Rivello, Sasso di Castalda, Brienza, Moliterno, Grumento Nova, Paterno, Lagonegro and Tramutola. "This is an important milestone," said the regional councilor for agricultural policies, Carmine Cicala, with satisfaction, "the result of teamwork involving multiple departments, local stakeholders, and significant synergy with the Minister for Agricultural, Forestry, and Food Sovereignty Policies, Francesco Lollobrigida. I would like to thank in particular the councilor for Health, Cosimo Latronico, and the councilor for the Environment, Laura Mongiello, for their full collaboration and the integrated approach that guided every phase of our intervention."
Increased awareness
A decisive boost also came from the launch of the wild boar supply chain project, strongly supported by Councilor Carmine Cicala, which contributed to increasing controls, generating greater awareness and making the management of wild fauna more effective, a key element in the containment of Psa. The technical support of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Puglia and Basilicata was fundamental, having drawn up a detailed scientific dossier based on data collected by all the actors involved, in particular the hunting world – which made extensive use of the “XCaccia” app – and the regional veterinary service, to which we owe heartfelt thanks. Special thanks also go to the Appennino Lucano National Park, for the important contribution to achieving this result, pursued through the capture and slaughter of numerous wild boars in the five municipalities that provided for the maximum restriction, namely zone two, now downgraded to zone one.
Containment actions
The document, supervised by the Ministry of Health and sent to the European Commission, was welcomed, confirming the validity of the actions implemented and the seriousness of the approach adopted by Basilicata. The coordination of the activities was guaranteed by the regional Territorial Operations Group (Got), which acted promptly and methodically, managing to effectively address the problem related to the uncontrolled spread of wild boars. “The Basilicata Region will not lower its guard,” concluded Cicala. “We will continue with determination in monitoring and in actions to contain wild fauna. Today we are already seeing concrete results in terms of reducing health, agricultural and environmental risks. Our commitment remains constant.”
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