New cases of poisoning in the PNALM, following those in Pescasseroli and Alfedena. Episodes that are repeated year after year throughout the region. SLO proposes to the relevant institutions and public opinion in Abruzzo a reflection on the causes of the problem and possible solutions.
Findings of poisoned bait and carcasses in the PNALM and its contiguous area continue unabated. In light of the numerous incidents of the same tenor detected and reported over the past five years by Salviamo L’Orso and our partners at REWILDING APENNINES, including in areas outside the region’s National Parks, we believe it is necessary to go beyond mere indignation. In past years, in fact, it has not produced any concrete results. Instead, deeper reasoning is needed as to why these incidents keep recurring and what countermeasures and technical measures should be put in place. That is, if there really is a will on the part of the relevant institutions to crush these criminal practices.
In order to provide a minimum of analysis and information to those who read us, a basic fact must be remembered. Legalized poisoning campaigns against so-called “vermin,” so-called “spring cleaning,” were allowed in Italy until the 1970s. Farmers and others legally used poisoned baits, snares, and traps against wolves and much other wildlife before taking the animals out to pasture. In the late 1970s this practice became illegal. This was due to the growing awareness of the vital role of predators in ecosystems and the introduction of compensation for those who suffered damage.
Today, whatever those who would like to return to the “old days” may say, the indiscriminate spreading of poisoned bait is illegal, criminal and totally unjustified. In fact, it is a practice that does not discriminate and devastates entire ecosystems. Farmers have prevention tools at their disposal almost free of charge and can access compensation increasingly quickly.
However, there are definite rules. Rules that address farm compliance, human health, animal welfare, and often dilapidated production facilities. Yet many farmers, or simply owners of squatter poultry houses, continue to consider themselves “allergic” to these rules. For them, everything is due. They consider themselves above the law and the rules that millions of Italians respect daily to ensure civil coexistence.
Those who complain about the lack of compensation should first put their own situation in order. Moreover, as many pretend not to see, compensation has become for some dishonest breeders a real source of additional income. The fact that the Park is doing its best is also demonstrated by another phenomenon: some pseudo-breeders, often from Puglia or Lazio with fictitious residences in Abruzzo and welfare recipients, move their animals here and then stage the lamentation of the poor breeder “ruined by wolves.”
Let us therefore clear the air of a misunderstanding. The poisoned wolves in Pescasseroli were not the result of the absence of adequate compensation. Instead, they were criminal and coordinated acts. Acts designed to intimidate the Park, which is guilty of imposing rules to protect existing laws, animal welfare and public health. Rules about which, too often, mayors and regional ASLs both turn a blind eye for the sake of quiet life.
What can be done concretely to crush this heinous crime?
ZERO TOLERANCE.
We must not back down in the face of this criminal offensive. On the contrary, it is necessary to make the controls on farms even more effective and stringent and to deny any compensation to those who are not in compliance. Will more wolves and bears die? Perhaps. But it is more important to reject blackmail and eradicate crime and ignorance. It’s now or never.
EQUAL AND FAST INDEMNIFICATION.
Honest farmers have a sacrosanct right to be compensated when they suffer damage from wildlife, which is state property. Therefore, the compensation system for those who are in compliance must be further improved. This requires more human and financial resources, which the state and region must make available to national and regional parks.
VIGILANCE AND REPRESSION.
Institutional supervision must be strengthened. This must be done by both the Park Authorities and the Carabinieri Forestali, who also have full responsibility in areas outside the parks. The Carabinieri Forestali also need to reinforce specialized anti-poaching units and intensify livestock control in areas affected by poisonings. Prevention is better than repression, and it is also easier. There should no longer be “free zones” where legality is optional and illegality is tolerated.
DEFEATING OMERTÀ.
Many people know the perpetrators of these heinous acts. However, sloth and fear of reprisals prevail even over those who would speak out. Thus we continue to protect criminals who bring discredit and shame on entire communities, communities that live off nature tourism and risk enormous economic damage. Those who keep silent, while knowing, are complicit.
Omertà can also be countered with a simple effective regional law, modeled on Law No. 353 of November 21, 2000, the “Framework Law on Forest Fires.” In this case, one could prohibit, for at least one year, all grazing, timbering, hunting and mushroom and truffle gathering activities in areas affected by poisoning episodes.
There could also be a circular exclusion area with a minimum radius of 1,000 meters from the point where poisoned baits or carcasses of animals that have died from poison are found. An area equal to about 314 hectares.
The total closure of such a large area would have major consequences for all categories that frequent or use it, whether professionally or as a hobby. This would encourage continuous and careful vigilance on the part of local communities. Indeed, in case of poisoning, everyone would be deprived of their ancestral rights because of the action of a criminal. We are certain that the results would be seen immediately.
In conclusion, Salviamo L’Orso asks the Ministry of the Environment (MASE), the Commander of the Carabinieri Forestali (CUFA), and Governor Marsilio, to the extent of their respective competencies, whether they can be counted on to defeat these infamous crimes. The solution exists and is simple: more resources for the relevant agencies and a new regional law. All it takes is to want it.
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