«I share the concerns expressed by the mayor of Montalbano Elicona, Antonino Todaro, by the president of the municipal council Giovanni Tortora and by the councilor for agriculture Nicola Bartolone on the selection criteria of the regional tender SRD04, intended to finance interventions to prevent damage caused by wildlife. Nebrodi agricultural and livestock businesses must be able to access resources without unjustified territorial penalties.”
This was declared by the regional deputy of the Democratic Party Calogero Leanza, speaking on the issue raised by the administrators of Montalbano Elicona.
«The tender awards 35 points out of 100 to the projects located in the Madonie UNESCO Global Geopark, while it awards just 10 for the damage documented in the last three years. A disproportion that risks compromising the financing possibilities of businesses in the Nebrodi, where wildlife has been causing serious damage to crops and livestock for years, putting at risk economic activities already penalized by the difficulties of the internal areas”.
«It’s not about opposing territories that face the same problems, but about guaranteeing fair conditions. For this reason I ask the Regional Department of Agriculture to review the criteria for assigning scores, giving greater value to the extent of the damage suffered, the exposure to risk and the actual need for interventions. A possible increase in resources would be positive, but it would not be enough without a review of the evaluation system.”
«The protection of agricultural and livestock activities is fundamental for the economy and social stability of our internal areas. Montalbano Elicona and all the Nebrodi people are not asking for privileges, but for equal opportunities and concrete tools to defend the work of those who continue to invest and preside over the territory. The Region listens to the requests of local administrators and intervenes to avoid disparities in access to funding”, concludes Leanza.