The ruling by the Council of State, based on an appeal by WWF and the Lega Abolizione della Caccia, effectively blocks hunting in the Region in areas included in the Natura 2000 Network.
The areas affected by the order suspending all hunting activity are SCI (Sites of Community Importance), SPA (Special Protection Areas), and ZSC (Special Areas of Conservation). This ruling, according to the judges, stems from the long-standing lack of comprehensive and up-to-date regional wildlife planning.
Given the ban and the fact that these areas are not subject to any type of signage, it is important that hunters obtain precise information from the police authorities responsible for monitoring the agricultural, forestry, and pastoral areas, or from hunting associations, to help them become familiar with the specific locations they may have frequented until now.
Hunting in these areas may be subject to criminal prosecution.
Regional Hunting Councillor Moreno Pieroni stated that he was surprised that the Council of State had not taken into account Regional Law 7/95, which fully recognizes the validity and effectiveness of the current wildlife hunting plan. He also stated that in all other areas, hunting is regularly conducted according to the provisions of the Marche Region's hunting calendar.
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