Opposite direction
“The extension of the order of the national commissioner for African swine fever which prevents scheduled hunting in the restricted areas, as well as the decision of the Piedmont Region to provide only 83 percent of the contribution for damage caused by wild fauna to agricultural crops in 2024, on the one hand does not counteract the proliferation of wild boars and therefore the increase in damage, which, on the other hand, is reimbursed with ever fewer resources. Practically, we are going in the opposite direction to that indicated by farmers, who do not aim to obtain more contributions, but to no longer have damage from wild boars”.
Compensation for damages
Thus the provincial deputy director and head of the Agricultural Assistance Centers of Cia Cuneo, Silvio Chionetti, the day after the provision to extend the ban on scheduled hunting in the restricted areas for African Swine Fever, and the allocation of 3 million 604 thousand euros by the Piedmont Region for compensation for damage to wild fauna equivalent to 83 percent of the amount ascertained (4 million 639 thousand euros) in 2024 by the Alpine Comparti (Ca), Territorial Hunting Areas (Atc), Provinces and Metropolitan City.
Restriction areas
“Continuing to prohibit scheduled hunting in the restricted areas - explains Chionetti - is a double mistake. In the case of the province of Cuneo, there are numerous restricted areas on the borders of the provinces of Savona, Asti and Alessandria, where crops such as hazelnut groves and vineyards are prime targets for wild boars. Depopulation alone, entrusted to selectors and authorized residents, is not enough to put a stop to the spread of wild fauna. In fact, there are cases in which the owners of the land cannot intervene, because they are resident elsewhere. If compensation for damages also decreases, then the omelette is done. This is not the way to go, we must reiterate that the objective must be to kill the greatest possible number of wild boars, so that the issue of reimbursements becomes absolutely secondary”.
Refunds to farmers
Still on compensation, there is another aspect underlined by Chionetti: “Let's keep in mind - observes the provincial vice-director of Cia Cuneo - that 10 percent of the reimbursements to farmers are paid by Atc and Ca, which in the restricted areas could however find themselves in difficulty, as the quotas paid by hunters who give up their license due to the ban on scheduled hunting could be lost” (source: CIA).
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