In December 1991, after years of campaigning, we finally secured the framework law on protected areas, law 394/91. Gianluigi Ceruti and the other Green MPs were instrumental in achieving that success. For instance, I personally worked to secure the Vesuvius park, which was under attack from speculators right up until the last moment, and we pushed hard for Cilento.

Over these 25 years, that excellent law has provided Italy with a network of parks that is admired the world over. Yet three of the four national parks that I managed to include in the budget law back in December 2007 are still missing. This year the Pantelleria park was established, but the Aeolian Islands, the Egadi Islands, the Trapani coastline and the Monti Iblei are still absent. And the Teatine coastline, Gennargentu and the Po Delta have been waiting for a long time too.

A commitment is needed to strengthen the existing network and bring to life the parks that have already been provided for. But in the meantime, happy birthday to Italy's 24 national parks, and to the entire network of protected areas on land and at sea. They are a jewel of Italy.