Wild boars can now be killed and eaten in Italian cities after they have passed appropriate tests. This emerges from an article of the budget law passed by the Chamber of Deputies in Rome on Wednesday night.
In the future, regions will also have the option of killing wild boar in protected areas and urban centers for road safety concerns. In addition, the animals undergo appropriate examinations in order to release them for consumption. This is to reduce the number of animals.
Why this drastic measure?
It is estimated that there are around 2.3 million wild boars in Italy, which frequently raid cities. Last year alone, this led to accidents with 13 deaths and 261 serious injuries. A situation that requires an immediate solution for the Coldiretti Farmers’ Union. Wild boars are a problem in Rome, among other places. There, the animals often rummage through the rubbish and have repeatedly attacked people in recent months.
According Coldiretti President Ettore Prandini the situation in the cities and in the countryside has become unacceptable. The economic damage to agricultural production is great.
“It can’t go on like this anymore”
Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida welcomed the decision of the Chamber of Deputies. “We spend a lot of money just on the consequences of traffic accidents caused by wildlife. Farmers stop production because their fields are being devastated by an unreasonable number of animals. This cannot go on like this.” Animal rights activists protested the Parliament’s decision, calling it unacceptable.