Maurizio Fugatti had already spoken out a few days ago. In the town hall of Contà, for the council’s outdoor meeting, the governor of Trentino had listened to the concerns of the mayor Fulvio Zanon about the presence of numerous bears in the area. And he had remembered the provision signed by councilor Roberto Failoni which allows the culling of eight problematic specimens per year. “The law exists” the president of the Province had clarified. Showing himself certain on one point: «As far as we are concerned, we believe that the government will not challenge our provision.” THE termsfor the possible intervention of Rome, they are now expired. And there was no action from the council of ministers.
Fugatti rejoices
“The government has decided not to challenge the Trentino law” the governor and the councilor confirmed yesterday. Not hiding his enthusiasm: «We are satisfied with the position expressed by the government on an important legislative intervention, which has the aim of promoting the management of large carnivores, allowing Trentino institutions to take all the necessary steps to protect public safety and the activities of the mountain economy”. The government’s opposition, in reality, seemed difficult: in fact, the text was the result of an agreement between the Trentino and Roman leaders. «This law – conclude Fugatti and Failoni – represents a important change of pace as well as a result that looks at the specificity of the provincial territory”.
The anger of animal rights activists
The animal rights associations are disappointed — and angry. Who in April had written to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and to ministers Gilberto Pichetto Fratin and Roberto Calderoli to ask them to stop what they have always called the “bear-killing law”. «Failure to challenge the law – underline Enpa, Lac, Lav Leal, Leidaa, Lipu, Lndc, Pro Natura and Oipa – it is another act that confirms the frontal attack launched on wild animals and the environment by the new executive from the moment of his inauguration”. And they add: «It is now impossible to keep track of the many acts that they are demolishing, one piece at a time, the few regulations protecting wild animals, while acts in favor of the hunting lobby are on the agenda.” A «political drift», the associations define it, which «enters into thunderous conflict with article 9 of the Constitution, which since February 2022 has included the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems among the fundamental principles of our Republic, of which Trentino bears are undeniably also part ».
Actions at the TAR and in Europe
But animal rights activists are not giving up: «We cannot tolerate this new threat to the life of Trentino’s bears. As soon as the Fugatti council decides to kill a single bear, we will ask the TAR to raise the question of the constitutional legitimacy of the law precisely in relation to article 9 of the Constitution”. It goes beyond Enpa, which speaks of a “very serious matter”. And he announces actions to block its application: «We will mobilize in every location and with all the tools at our disposal. We are ready to turn to the European Union. It is unacceptable that the government decides not to intervene, leaving our country under the ax of Brussels.”
