Four Italian Socialists and Democrats (S&D) MEPs have asked the European Commission whether Italy has replied to a formal letter flagging serious EU law infringements in a draft hunting law, and whether the Commission may launch infringement proceedings. The MEPs warn the law could increase poaching and wildlife trafficking.
The written question, submitted on 26 May 2026, refers to a Commission letter sent to the Italian government on 18 December 2025 concerning Draft Law No 1552, which amends Italy's 1992 wild fauna protection law. According to animal welfare associations and press reports, the Commission identified breaches of the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) and the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), including extended hunting periods, authorisation of optical devices for night hunting, and relaxed restrictions on live decoys.
The MEPs' biggest concern is that the draft law would strip the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) of its binding role, making its opinions non-binding. They note that despite the Commission's warnings, the draft law has not undergone substantial changes as it continues through the Italian parliament.
The MEPs ask two specific questions: whether the Italian government has formally replied to the Commission's December 2025 letter, and whether the Commission considers the law in its present form could trigger infringement proceedings. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will signal the likely next steps in EU-Italy legal dialogue on wildlife protection.