Page 68 - Supplemento 2-2016 (ENG)

lanfranco fanti

countries. We have received an incredibly large number of responses, Italy being
the third highest contributor, providing us with a popular mandate to tackle
environmental issues, in contrast with Eurosceptic trends. According to a 2014
survey, the environment in fact rates as the most sensitive issue to European citi-
zens, who want to know if their air, water and soil are clean enough.

We also have a strong political mandate through EU treaties which gua-
rantee commitment to protecting and improving nature across Europe and,
although legislation can always be improved, we first need to make sure it is
implemented.

Environmental priorities are outlined in the 7th Environmental Action
Programme: not only it defines guidelines on air, water, soil and circular econo-
my, it also focuses on a better implementation of legislation. It hints to the well-
known “Not in my backyard” principle. Citizens prove to be legislators’ most
important ally, since private citizens are responsible for the highest number of
reporting of environmental crimes.

The European Commission has recently adopted an EU Action Plan to
tackle wildlife trafficking within the EU. Such illegal activities have in fact beco-

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