Abruzzo Farmers Protest Against Wildlife Damage
A protest has been announced for May 13th in the Italian region of Abruzzo, where farmers, breeders, citizens, and local administrators will gather in front of the regional council to demand urgent action on the management of wild fauna. The event, promoted by CIA Abruzzo, Confagricoltura Abruzzo, Copagri Abruzzo, and Liberi Agricoltori Abruzzo, aims to raise awareness about the unsustainable situation faced by the agricultural sector in the region.
According to the organisers, as reported by Il Trafiletto, the situation has become critical, with devastated crops, struggling companies, and increasingly fragile rural areas. "The bill is being paid by the fields, farm animals, and families living in mountainous and hilly areas," states a joint note from the organisations.
The protest will feature a significant turnout, including tractors, banners, and flags. A document shared by the promoting organisations outlines ten operational proposals to address the emergency, which will be delivered to the region’s president, Marco Marsilio, and the vice-president and agriculture councillor, Emanuele Imprudente. The document, as cited by Il Trafiletto, also calls for a meeting with the regional council president, Lorenzo Sospiri, and the group leaders of the political forces.
The main demands of the protest, as reported by Il Trafiletto, include the implementation of a wild boar containment plan, with a target of 28,000 abatements by 2024, the resumption of the deer plan blocked by a TAR sentence, and coordination on the presence of wolves with prevention, monitoring, and protection measures for farms.
The document also proposes:
- Actions against species considered harmful (nutrias, foxes, starlings)
- Adjustment of compensation for damages suffered
- Enhancement of passive defenses (fences, deterrents)
- Establishment of a permanent regional coordination
- Reform of regional laws 10/2003 and 10/2004 for greater involvement of ATCs
- Valorisation of the role of farmers in defining management strategies
In addition to the protest, a petition has been launched, which has already gathered over 3,000 signatures in a few days, with adhesions from citizens, businesses, and local institutional representations.
The issue of wildlife damage has become a pressing concern for farmers in Abruzzo, with many calling for urgent action to mitigate the effects of wild fauna on their crops and livestock. As Il Trafiletto reports, the situation has become unsustainable, with many farmers struggling to make a living due to the damage caused by wild animals.
The protest is seen as a crucial step towards raising awareness about the issue and pushing for concrete action from the regional authorities. As the organisers stated, "The agricultural sector in Abruzzo is facing a critical situation, and it is essential that we come together to demand urgent action and find solutions to this problem."
The regional government has been urged to take immediate action to address the issue, and the outcome of the protest will be closely watched by farmers and stakeholders across the region.
This article is based on reporting by Il Trafiletto.
