Animal protection: Italy launches a National Day for Veterinary Prevention. And lawmakers are working on a crackdown on freshwater poaching.
In recent days, the Italian Parliament turned its attention to animals — specifically pets — and in the coming weeks it will do so again, this time to protect fish and aquatic fauna. This focus is at least partly driven by the new constitutional recognition afforded to animals following the reform of Article 9.
On 26 March, the Chamber of Deputies gave its final approval to the establishment of the National Day for Veterinary Prevention, which will henceforth be celebrated every year on 25 January. The law, passed with broad cross-party support, aims to raise awareness among citizens and institutions about the importance of preventive veterinary medicine, within an integrated public health framework known as One Health.
The concept of One Health recognises the interconnection between human health, animal health and environmental protection. The new legislation underscores the crucial role of veterinary prevention in safeguarding the wellbeing not only of animals, but of people too — by countering the spread of zoonotic diseases and promoting healthy longevity across the entire population.
During the National Day for Veterinary Prevention, public and private bodies will be able to promote awareness and information activities. Debates, conferences and events are planned at both national and international level, involving regions, provinces, municipalities, research institutes and veterinary organisations. Particular emphasis will be placed on educating younger generations: schools of all levels will be able to organise educational programmes on veterinary prevention, food safety and the fight against infectious zoonotic diseases. The law also includes a commitment from the public broadcasting service, which will be required to dedicate airtime to topics relating to veterinary prevention and health safety.
The major shortcoming of the new law is that, as is often the case, it makes no provision for specific funding to carry out what it promises: in practice, not a single additional euro will be spent by the state on these awareness-raising efforts.
Indeed, the Federazione nazionale degli ordini dei veterinari italiani has welcomed the establishment of the national day for veterinary prevention, describing it as "a historic moment for our profession and a strategic opportunity of inestimable value for strengthening the themes of animal health, food safety and biodiversity protection, and consequently linking them inextricably to the concept of public health in its entirety." It does, however, caution that "this day must not be limited to an isolated celebration, but must take shape as a powerful catalyst for a constant, structured and far-sighted commitment to a culture of prevention embedded in the fabric of society."
At the same time, also before the Chamber of Deputies is a bill to combat fish poaching in Italy's inland waters. The measure aims to protect biodiversity and safeguard the country's fish stocks, differentiating prohibitions and penalties according to the type of inland water body — distinguishing between major lakes (lago Maggiore, lago di Varese, lago di Como e Lecco; lago d'Iseo; lago di Garda; lago Trasimeno; lago di Bolsena and lago di Bracciano), brackish and lagoon waters, and other freshwater basins. The objective is to strengthen
enforcement measures and toughen penalties for illegal fishing, with arrests and fines of up to €12,000. The bill also establishes greater accountability for supervisory authorities, including the rangers of national and regional parks.
In summary, the law bans the fishing and trading of protected species, the use of explosives, electricity or toxic substances to catch fish, and the draining of waterways for fishing purposes. It also prohibits non-compliant nets and equipment for sport and professional fishing, as well as fishing without authorisation.
