Damage caused by wild boars is increasing dramatically, Confagricoltura Piemonte asks for the intervention of the prefects.

It is an increasingly difficult situation, which causes frustration and exasperation among farmers who see their crops destroyed, with little chance of obtaining compensation for the damages. " In fact, for a questionable interpretation of EU legislation, the Piedmont Region in 2015 equated compensation for damages to a contribution that as such is subject to the legislation on state aid - explains the director of Confagricoltura Piemonte Ercole Zuccaro - which sets a ceiling of 25 thousand euros over three years for this type of intervention ". So many businesses find ourselves having to suffer damages without being able to obtain compensation, feeding the wild at their expense.

" We find ourselves in a paradoxical situation - declares the president of Confagricoltura Piemonte Enrico Allasia - which, with a long series of political distinctions, lack of resources and conflicts of competences, creates enormous damage to the business activity and increasingly higher risks for what concerns the spread of African swine fever, of which wild boars are vectors, as unfortunately has already been demonstrated in many areas of Northern Europe. We have asked, for the umpteenth time, the intervention of the competent authorities and now - announces Allasia - we are addressed to the prefects of the Piedmontese provinces, so that, as representatives of the government at the territorial level, they take on the coordination of the initiatives between the various bodies to put a stop to this destruction ".

Confagricoltura stresses that "with the bizarre idea that the countryside belongs to everyone, private property is destroyed, the work of farmers is thwarted and irreparable damage is created for businesses. Few are indignant at the damage caused by wild boars to corn crops - he adds. Confagricoltura - while attention would be much higher if a herd of wild boars entered a supermarket or any other production plant undisturbed.

" It is necessary to realize the situation and address the problem with a sense of responsibility, before it reaches a point of no return - concludes Allasia - also because every year we have over 5,000 reports of damage to crops in Piedmont and more than 1,100 road signs , some of which are unfortunately mortal. How long do we still have to wait for the issue to be resolved? ".