Il CGA Sicily overturned the decision of the TAR: “The Sicilian hunting calendar it should not be suspended ". This was announced by Avv. Alfio Barbagallo who assists the associations of Sicilian hunters, such as National Association of Hunters (ANCA.), Sicilian Free Hunters (LCS) to Italcaccia Sicily with the support of “Sicilia Nostra”. With the order issued by the CGA Sicily on 20 December 2021 which defined the precautionary appeal promoted by the Associations assisted by Avv. Barbagallo, the Supreme Administrative Judges for the Region of Sicily "have clearly rejected all the complaints of the environmental associations that had brought the Palermo Regional Administrative Court to suspend the Sicilian hunting calendar in some points ”, reads a note.
The provision of the TAR Palermo of 3 November 2021, “which had made the cry for an extraordinary victory WWF & C., was totally reformed by the CGA which considered the full legitimacy of the contested hunting calendar ". “In particular, the Council considered the hunting of woodcock to be sustainable during the period 1-10 January 2022 without the further limitations suggested by ISPRA "" With reference instead to the fires that hit Sicily last summer and that had led environmental associations to ask for the general suspension of hunting for the current season, also on the basis of what has been highlighted from ISPRA, the Council reiterated that there is no contrast between the contested hunting calendar and the ISPRA suggestions in light of the hunting prohibitions already provided for in the land subject to fire.
The Council therefore overturned the further limitations envisaged by the Palermo TAR ”. “It was finally declared the full legitimacy of the hunting calendar also as regards the mobility of hunters through the Territorial Hunting Area for migration. Following the provision of the CGA, theRegional Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries will have to revoke the council decree 74 of 10 November 2021 issued in compliance with the order of the TAR Palermo and the hunting calendar referred to in council decree 47 of 1 September 2021 will regain full effect ".
An important victory for all of the hunting world affirm the Presidents of the appellant associations Vincenzo Salamone (ANCA), Stefano Privitera (LCS) and Vincenzo Cappadonna of Italcaccia Sicilia, which will have its weight also for the next seasons in the drafting of hunting calendars. With an appeal lodged first before the TAR Catania, then summarized before the TAR Sicily, Palermo office, WWF Italy, Legambiente Sicily, LIPU, ENPA and LNDC ANIMAL PROTECTION had challenged the hunting calendar of the Sicilian region for the 2021/2022 season. Hence the legal battle that had led the regional councilor for agriculture, Toni Scilla, to modify the first decree. Therefore the hunt will be regularly open in Sicily.