Italy faces scientific backlash over proposed extension of hunting season

Ten Italian scientific organizations sent a joint letter to President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other senior officials warning that the draft law DDL 1552, which would amend the 1992 wildlife protection law, could undermine biodiversity and breach EU Birds and Habitat directives. The letter highlights that extending the hunting season beyond 10 February would increase pressure on migratory birds during their critical pre‑breeding phase, potentially exposing Italy to new EU infringement procedures. It cites that 28 % of vertebrate species and 26 % of nesting bird species in Italy are already threatened, with official data estimating more than 32 million huntable birds killed between the 2017‑2023 seasons.

The Italian Bird Protection League (Lipu) echoed these concerns, outlining four reasons the extension is harmful: biological (disrupting migratory cycles), legal (violating EU Directive 2009/147/EC and risking further sanctions), managerial (creating administrative chaos and litigation) and constitutional (contravening Article 117 s and the constitutional guarantee to protect biodiversity under Article 9). Both groups call for preserving the current 10 February limit to safeguard wildlife and ensure compliance with European law.