Italy: Hobby hunting of wild boar permitted in cities

Italy's ruling right-wing coalition wants to loosen hunting regulations to address what the country's agricultural lobby has called an “invasion” of wild boar.

Hobby hunting in cities and protected areas

Wild boar are widespread in the countryside but have recently also been spotted in central parts of Rome, attracted by the chronically overflowing rubbish bins of the Eternal City.

Following an amendment backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's “Brothers of Italy” party, the capture and killing of wildlife in urban and protected areas will be permitted.

Local and regional police officers, as well as the national forest police and licensed hobby hunters, may participate in the operations.

The measure is contained in an amendment to the 2023 draft budget. The budget is set to be passed before the end of the year.

The amendment also states that hunted wildlife may be consumed, provided health authorities deem it safe for human consumption.

Farmers' lobby welcomes move, Greens protest

The farmers' lobby Coldiretti welcomed the reform, stating it was urgently necessary “as Italy is being overrun by 2.3 million wild boar in cities and in the countryside.”

Wild boar were coming ever closer to homes, schools and parks, destroying crops, attacking livestock and causing traffic accidents, said the president of the farmers' association, Ettore Prandini.

A member of parliament for Brothers of Italy, Francesco Michelotti, said that only those motivated by a “blind environmental ideology” or living in affluent urban areas could oppose the measure.

The leader of the Green Party, Angelo Bonelli, called the law a concession to the hunting lobby and stated that it would violate the Italian constitution and EU nature conservation regulations. “We will fight back in parliament, but we have prepared a complaint with the European Union,” said Bonelli, adding that he was certain that Brussels would initiate legal proceedings against Italy.