Lombardy approves new forest management and obesity healthcare laws

The Lombardy Regional Council has approved two significant pieces of legislation aimed at public health and environmental management.

Regarding environmental policy, the Council passed Bill 158, which introduces experimental measures for the active and sustainable management of forests and agro-silvo-pastoral territories. The law, effective until 2036, seeks to combat land abandonment and property fragmentation by creating 'sustainable forest management areas.' These areas allow public and private owners to coordinate management through a single entity, particularly in mountainous regions where plots are often too small for autonomous care. The initiative aims to prevent wildfires and hydrogeological instability while promoting the wood-energy supply chain. The region has allocated 600,000 euros annually for the 2027-2028 period to support these activities.

In the health sector, the Council unanimously approved a law recognizing the social relevance of obesity, treating it as a chronic and relapsing disease. This regional implementation of national principles establishes a permanent task force and a dedicated diagnostic-therapeutic-assistive pathway (PPDTA). Notably, the regional healthcare system will provide free medication to patients with severe obesity who face economic difficulties. The law also aims to improve multidisciplinary patient care and prevention strategies.