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Meloni pushes controversial hunting reform despite EU warning
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Elections & Politics

Meloni pushes controversial hunting reform despite EU warning

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Italy's proposed hunting reform, the most significant in over 30 years, faces strong opposition from environmental groups and the public.
  • Critics argue the changes could threaten biodiversity by expanding hunting areas, extending seasons, and allowing more species to be hunted.
  • The European Commission has already warned Italy that some provisions may violate the EU's Birds Directive.

Italy's government is pushing forward with a controversial hunting reform, sparking fierce debate and drawing criticism from environmentalists and the European Commission. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration claims the overhaul aims to modernize outdated laws and improve wildlife management.

However, opposition parties and nature conservation groups warn the proposed changes could severely harm biodiversity. The bill, which has already passed the Senate, seeks to expand hunting grounds, lengthen the hunting season, and increase the number of species eligible for hunting. A particularly contentious point is granting hunters the status of "bioregulators," suggesting their activities contribute to biodiversity conservation.

The European Commission has expressed concerns, issuing a formal warning in December that certain provisions might conflict with the EU's Birds Directive. The Commission is closely monitoring the bill's progress. Despite polls indicating that nearly 80% of Italians view hunting as dangerous or ethically unacceptable, the government persists with the reform.

We considered it necessary to amend a law over 30 years old and adapt it to the environmental and hunting circumstances that have significantly changed in the meantime. The reform is not aimed at conservative voters, but at better protecting wild animals through better management of their populations.

โ€” Luca De CarloDefending the hunting reform bill as a necessary update for wildlife management.

Supporters, like Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Luca De Carlo, argue the law needs updating due to changed environmental and hunting conditions. "The reform is not aimed at conservative voters, but at better protecting wild animals through better management of their populations," De Carlo told Politico.

Critics, however, accuse Meloni of trying to win over hunters ahead of elections. Angelo Bonelli, leader of the Europa Verde party, called the reform the "shoot everything" law. The debate also occurs as Meloni faces challenges from the right, with retired general Roberto Vannacci gaining popularity for advocating hunters' rights.

Meloni is trying to win just a few extra votes among hunters.

โ€” Angelo BonelliCriticizing the reform as a political maneuver to gain electoral support.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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