The overall estimate of the damages
The inadequate management of some wild species has multiple consequences, starting from the spread of diseases that can have serious effects on the economic activities of the primary sector, as recently happened with the African swine fever in various areas of Italy. Confagricoltura and EPS intervene on the management of wildlife and in particular on the problem ofexcessive presence of wild boars. In Italy there are one and a half million specimens that cause considerable damage to agriculture: the annual average is over 7 million euros and the overall estimate, in the last 7 years alone, is 120 million.
The spread of diseases
Confagricoltura calls for an urgent follow-up to the provisions of the latest Budget Law with respect to the containment measures established, and for the implementation of an effective intervention strategy to reduce the presence of wild boars, limit damage and lower the risk of spreading diseases. To contain the number of wild boars it is essential to significantly increase the selective levies, concentrating them above all on the classes that have the greatest impact on the growth of the population (young and females) and at the same time follow a more correct programming of the culling plans.
Wildlife hunting farms
Professional tools should be extended for specialized operators, enabled through specific courses, to effectively intervene on the species through noise attenuators, infrared targeting optics or transportable traps. For Confagricoltura and EPS it is essential to strengthen the training of operators in order to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the interventions, correctly plan the sampling plans on the basis of the most up-to-date scientific knowledge, then monitor their implementation and results. More attention is also needed to the role of farms in wildlife and wildlife-hunting management, starting with adequate recognition of all daily activities carried out at their own expense, for the benefit of the entire biodiversity system and the community. (Source CONFAGRICOLTURA).