Overview

• Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida has introduced an 18-article draft bill to revise Italy's 1992 hunting law, including changes to weapon regulations, hunting days, and protected areas.
• The Environmental Ministry's biodiversity director, Eugenio Dupré, confirmed that several provisions in the draft conflict with the EU Birds Directive, delaying its presentation to the Council of Ministers.
• Leaked details reveal plans to allow hunting on state lands, including beaches, reduce protected areas, and permit spring and nighttime hunting under certain conditions.
• Environmental and animal welfare groups, as well as opposition politicians, have condemned the bill as unconstitutional and harmful to biodiversity and public safety.
• The government aims to fast-track the bill for parliamentary approval before September, despite growing protests and legal scrutiny from EU and domestic stakeholders.