Comando unità per la tutela forestale, ambientale e agroalimentare
Carabinieri Forestali | |
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Comando unità per la tutela forestale, ambientale e agroalimentare (CUFTAA) | |
Active | 25 October 2016-present |
Country |
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Branch |
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Type | Gendarmerie |
Role | law enforcement, forestry and environmental police |
Size |
unit command 8,500 troops ca. |
Headquarters | Rome |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Gen. C.A. Antonio Ricciardi |
The Comando unità per la tutela forestale, ambientale e agroalimentare of Carabinieri ("CUTFAA") is a specialized unit of the Carabinieri force. Established on October 25, 2016, it has absorbed the personnel and functions of the State Forestry Corps from 1 January 2017.[1]
Mission
This department of the Arma dei Carabinieri is responsible for protecting Italy's natural resources, the environment, countryside and ecosystems, especially national parks and national forests. As all Carabinieri departement, it's under the authority of the Ministry of Defense, but for its specialized tasks depends on the ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Its specialist duties include arresting poachers, investigating environmental violations, illegal building, counterfeit foods, safeguarding protected animal species, enforcing endangered species laws, and preventing and fighting wildfires. It has responsibility for managing activities related to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Italy.[2]
Organization
The departement is organized in 14 regional commands, three agencies (environmental protection, agri-food protection, protection of biodiversity and parks) and approximately 700 Station Commands on the entire national territory [3] . It counts circa 8500 military personnel involved in contrast of illicit agri-foodstuffs, environmental and biodiversity protection, contrast to poaching, contrast to all criminal organizations that, with their activity, affect the environment. In the Unit there are also 29 NOE (Nucleo Operativo Ecologico), nucleus highly specialized in complex investigations in environmental matters against organized crime.
References
External links
- Official website (in Italian)