Brescia Province Faces Legal Challenge Over Nutria Culling Plan
The nutria culling plan of the Provincia di Brescia is coming under scrutiny from animal welfare organizations. An official appeal is being prepared and is expected to be filed immediately after the summer holidays. Most likely, the path chosen will be that of the Brescia Administrative Court (Tar di Brescia), as an alternative to appealing to the head of state.
Information is provided by Dr. Riccardo Ercoli, who has long been involved in animal protection efforts. The issue of nutria (Myocastor caypus) was brought to the forefront by Desenzano councillor Paolo Abate. He addressed a letter to the mayor of Desenzano, urgently requesting that the Provincia di Brescia be asked to activate the “nutria eradication plan” also in Desenzano.
Criticisms and Concerns Regarding the Provincial Plan
The opposition councillor argued that the presence of nutria had become alarming due to the high population density. Consequently, an intervention through a control plan was deemed necessary to prevent damage to wetlands and to address serious health risks.
The provincial plan dates back to March 10, 1998, and entrusts its implementation to agents of the Provincial Vigilance Corps, assisted by authorized personnel as per law. On May 31 of this year, the hunting and fishing sector, following a resolution from May 2, authorized a volunteer hunting guard (meeting the required qualifications) to collaborate with agency staff in executing the nutria culling plan.
This authorization covers the municipalities of Fiesse, Gambara, Gottolengo, Calvisano, Ghedi, Isorella, Visano, Remedello, Acquafredda, and Carpenedolo. However, environmental groups contest the plan itself, citing the same sources mentioned in regional and provincial measures, specifically the opinions of the Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica.
Opinions and Legal Challenges to the Cull Plan
Regarding this, Dr. Riccardo Ercoli emphasizes that from a hygienic and health perspective, the nutria is a secondary and incidental carrier of leptospirosis, thus of limited significance as a disease reservoir. Any damage to sugar beets or soybeans cannot be attributed to nutria, as has already been scientifically demonstrated.
The danger of hydrogeological instability is described as paradoxical. For these reasons, a legal appeal will be submitted, likely signed by the LAC of Milan. It should be noted that the Brescia Administrative Court (Tar di Brescia) has already favorably received the request for a suspension of the nutria culling ordered by the mayor of Martignana Po. The decision was deposited on July 14.