Breeding population in Italy
It is not the first time that we ask ourselves if there are two ISPRA. One with which it is possible to establish relationships and projects of mutual interest, for the hunting and scientific world, the other that towards hunting and hunters has a clearly adverse attitude. After reading the first ISPRA opinions on the hunting calendars, in particular that of the Marche region, an unexpected change is evident regarding the pre-opening for the wood pigeon, on which the Institute expresses an unfavourable opinion. Yet ISPRA had expressed itself favourably on this choice for many seasons and until last year with all the Regions and the wood pigeon has always allowed the pre-opening to take place with a few fixed days at the beginning of September. This has not negatively affected the nesting population in Italy, which continues its positive trend, as well as the European one which is also in a phase of strong numerical expansion. The wood pigeon it's not a declining species!
What's even more surprising
But what is even more surprising and inexplicable in ISPRA's decision to deny the early opening to the species is the favorable opinion issued to the Emilia-Romagna Region for a wood pigeon control plan that allows the culling of 11.000 animals per year in the period from 1 April to 15 September, therefore in spring and summer, that is, in the midst of the species' nesting throughout the territory. If the same opinion issued to the Marche were to be sent (as expected) also to the Emilia-Romagna Region, how does ISPRA justify the contradiction of being against hunting for two fixed days at the beginning of September but in favor of control during the height of reproduction from April to the end of August? Added to this is the fact that ISPRA, once again modifying its previous orientation, no longer gives a - in this case binding - positive opinion on the culling of wood pigeons in February, and therefore even those Regions that included it in the calendar were forced to remove it.
Research must be free
We are facing a situation that is no longer tolerable. It is clear that for ISPRA the hunter is good and clever only if he does not go hunting but practices "wildlife control". Enough with the hypocrisy and mystifications. Down with the mask once and for all. Research must be free, but above all free from ideologies and preconceptions that distort if not the results certainly the interpretation of the same. It is time for politics to have its say and for Ministries and Government, respecting their mutual roles and competences, to establish once and for all work and interpretative criteria that cannot be bent from time to time to the opinions of the researcher on duty. For science, but also for citizens, the glass must have a content whose measure is only one, and not be half full or half empty depending on the "thirst" of those who look at it. We make this clear forcefully: if anyone ever had doubts or expectations in this sense, know that the wood pigeon, at this point, becomes the symbolic species of our rejection of certain logics. Federcaccia is not having it and will fight with all the means at its disposal. Not only for the wood pigeon, but for all hunting (source: FIDC).
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