Italy's Senate pushes hunting law reform amid environmental backlash

The Italian Senate opened debate on DDL 1552, a bill intended to amend law 157/1992 that governs wildlife protection and hunting. The majority seeks to modernise the three‑decade‑old legislation, while the Democratic Party, the Five Star Movement and the Green‑Left alliance criticised the proposal, calling it a weakening of safeguards for fauna.

Environmental organisations, scientific bodies and Slow Food have staged protests, warning that the bill would increase the number of huntable species, extend hunting seasons, deregulate live‑call devices and reduce protections in protected areas and coastal demarcations. They cite conflicts with EU Birds and Habitat directives and fear potential infringement procedures.

In the Senate session, two pre‑emptive constitutional challenges were rejected and two technical amendments were approved: amendment 4.500 introduces binding regional guidelines for identifying live calls pending ISPRA and technical committee opinion, and amendment 5.500 removes references to doves from the list of fixed posts. Political figures such as PD secretary Elly Schlein, former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, regional councillor Serena Pellegrino and Minister of the Environment Gilberto Pichetto Fratin have voiced strong positions, with opposition parties demanding withdrawal of the bill.

The discussion will continue, with the Senate scheduled to resume voting on further articles before the bill moves to the Chamber of Deputies.