Latest news with #EnricoFabbri
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First Post
2 days ago
- General
- First Post
How are flamingos threatening Italy's iconic risotto dish?
Italy's prized risotto rice is facing an unusual threat: flamingos. These elegant birds have invaded flooded rice fields in Ferrara, disrupting the germination process by stirring up the soil with their feet while foraging. Farmers are facing crop losses of up to 90 per cent read more A flock of Flamingos is seen in a flooded field that produce rice for risotto, in Jolanda Di Savoia, Italy, June 11, 2025. File Image/AP Northern Italy's prized risotto rice fields are under unexpected threat — not from disease or drought, but from flocks of flamingos that have begun wading into flooded rice paddies in Ferrara province, a key production region in the Emilia-Romagna area between Venice and Ravenna. These long-legged waders, better known for inhabiting coastal lagoons and salt marshes, have made their way inland and are now frequenting rice paddies critical to Italy's cherished risotto industry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While not known to feed on rice itself, the birds have become a significant source of disruption to cultivation. Their foraging behaviour — involving stirring shallow waters with their webbed feet to capture mollusks, algae, and insects — has caused widespread damage to germinating rice crops. As these paddies are deliberately flooded during late spring and early summer to support the initial growth of rice seeds, they have unintentionally created ideal conditions for the birds' feeding habits. Impact on farmers & field Farmers in the region have described the situation as unprecedented. According to Enrico Fabbri, a 63-year-old rice cultivator operating near Jolanda di Savoia, the losses have been devastating in certain plots. 'These are new things that have never happened before. You invest so much time and care into preparing everything,' he shared. 'Then, just as the crop begins to grow, it's like having a newborn child taken away. That's what it feels like.' In several of Fabbri's paddies, up to 90 per cent of the planted area has been lost, reported AP. While the birds are not targeting the rice itself, the collateral damage caused by their movement and feeding techniques is extensive. The fine-tuned balance of water, soil, and seed that supports Italy's short-grain rice varieties — essential for classic risotto dishes — is being compromised in the process. Attempts at deterrence end in failure Local farmers, desperate to salvage their harvests, have tried a range of deterrence methods. These include patrolling fields throughout the day and night, using truck horns, banging on metal barrels, and deploying small gas cannons that emit loud blasts. While these tactics sometimes force the flamingos to take flight, they often just relocate to nearby paddies and continue foraging there instead. 'There is a sense of helplessness,' said Massimo Piva, a 57-year-old rice farmer and vice-president of the local farmers' confederation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Obviously, we are looking for answers from those who have to deal with the problem. From an environmental point of view, all this is beautiful, but we must keep in mind that rice cultivation is among the most expensive, extensive crops.' Piva acknowledged the allure of the birds but emphasized the need to mitigate their growing presence. 'They are beautiful animals, it's their way of moving and behaving, but the problem is trying to limit their presence as much as possible.' Why flamingos are there in the first place The presence of flamingos in these agricultural zones is not entirely random. Their arrival in Ferrara is believed to be the result of broader environmental and migratory shifts. According to Roberto Tinarelli, an ornithologist and president of the Emilia-Romagna Ornithologists Association (AsOER), the flamingos began nesting in the Comacchio Valleys, a coastal wetland area between Ferrara and Ravenna, in the early 2000s. Their arrival there coincided with severe droughts in southern Spain, which historically served as a major breeding ground for the species. Forced to seek out more hospitable conditions, the flamingos began moving eastward, establishing colonies along Italy's northeastern coast, where freshwater and brackish environments are abundant. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'These birds had previously been more concentrated around North African lakes, parts of Spain, and a small portion of France's Camargue region,' Tinarelli explained. Since establishing themselves in Italy, the flamingos have adapted their range and are now venturing further inland, taking advantage of the rice paddies that mimic their natural feeding environments. While no definitive studies have yet explained why the birds have extended their foraging so deeply into agricultural territory, their inland incursion is being closely watched. So what's the solution? Rather than relying solely on noise or physical patrols to deter the birds, experts like Tinarelli are proposing more targeted and environmentally sensitive solutions. One such approach involves redesigning field perimeters to make them less inviting to flamingos. This could include surrounding rice paddies with tall trees or hedgerows, which would make it harder for the birds to land and wade comfortably. Perhaps most notably, Tinarelli has suggested a significant adjustment to water management in rice fields. 'This is sufficient for the rice to grow, but decidedly less attractive to flamingos, which must splash around in the water,' he said, referring to lowering the flood depth of newly planted paddies from the current standard of around 30 centimetres to somewhere between 5 and 10 centimetres. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Tinarelli, such a change would still allow rice seeds to germinate while making the fields less suitable for flamingo feeding behaviour. At stake is more than just a seasonal harvest. The rice grown in this region — particularly varieties such as Arborio, Carnaroli, and Vialone Nano — forms the foundation of one of Italy's most globally recognised culinary exports: risotto. Chefs help serve risotto, a traditional Italian rice dish cooked with broth and flavoured with grated cheese and other ingredients, to people during a charity fundraiser in the town of Vittoriosa in Valletta's Grand Harbour, Malta, October 17, 2008. File Image/Reuters The creamy, slow-cooked dish is a staple of Italian cuisine and relies heavily on rice cultivated under highly specific conditions. As climate patterns shift and migratory routes change, the encroachment of wildlife into areas of human food production is likely to become more common. Also Watch: With inputs from AP
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Feisty flamingos threaten production of risotto in Italy
There's a sticky situation simmering in Italy — where the solution might need plenty of legwork. Flamingos have been making themselves comfy in the rice fields of Ferrara, a charming city in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna known for production of the key ingredient in the nation's signature dish, risotto. To grow the short-grain rice used for the classic creamy fare, farmers flood their fields in late spring and early summer to germinate their seeds — and they're not tickled pink by the leggy animals. The brazen birds have been using their webbed feet to stir up the soil and capture molluscs, algae and insects from the water. Although the animals aren't touching the rice seedlings, they're disturbing the critical production process of the plants. 'These are new things that have never happened before. You invest so much time and care into preparing everything. Then, just as the crop begins to grow, it's like having a newborn child taken away. That's what it feels like,' farmer Enrico Fabbri, who has faced production losses of as much as 90%, complained to The Guardian. Desperate to protect their crops, the distraught farmers are taking on the birds by scaring them away with blaring truck horns, banging barrels and even firing cannons — but to no avail. The feisty flamingos most likely came from the nearby Comacchio valleys, wetlands along the Adriatic coast between Ferrara and the province of Ravenna, but migrated further east due to drought. The flamingos may flee if the fields were surrounded by trees or hedges and the water levels were decreased, Roberto Tinarelli, the president of AsOER, the Emilia-Romagna ornithologists' association, told the outlet. 'Obviously, we are looking for answers from those who have to deal with the problem. From an environmental point of view, all this is beautiful, but we must keep in mind that rice cultivation is among the most expensive, extensive crops,' said Massimo Piva, a rice grower and vice-president of the local farmers' confederation. 'They are beautiful animals, it's their way of moving and behaving, but the problem is trying to limit their presence as much as possible.'
New York Post
4 days ago
- General
- New York Post
Feisty flamingos threaten production of risotto, Italy's signature dish, upset local farmers
There's a sticky situation simmering in Italy — where the solution might need plenty of legwork. Flamingos have been making themselves comfy in the rice fields of Ferrara, a charming city in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna known for production of the key ingredient in the nation's signature dish, risotto. To grow the short-grain rice used for the classic creamy fare, farmers flood their fields in late spring and early summer to germinate their seeds — and they're not tickled pink by the leggy animals. Advertisement The brazen birds have been using their webbed feet to stir up the soil and capture molluscs, algae and insects from the water. Although the animals aren't touching the rice seedlings, they're disturbing the critical production process of the plants. 'These are new things that have never happened before. You invest so much time and care into preparing everything. Then, just as the crop begins to grow, it's like having a newborn child taken away. That's what it feels like,' farmer Enrico Fabbri, who has faced production losses of as much as 90%, complained to The Guardian. Flamingos are disrupting rice fields in northern Italy. AP Advertisement Desperate to protect their crops, the distraught farmers are taking on the birds by scaring them away with blaring truck horns, banging barrels and even firing cannons — but to no avail. The feisty flamingos most likely came from the nearby Comacchio valleys, wetlands along the Adriatic coast between Ferrara and the province of Ravenna, but migrated further east due to drought. The flamingos may flee if the fields were surrounded by trees or hedges and the water levels were decreased, Roberto Tinarelli, the president of AsOER, the Emilia-Romagna ornithologists' association, told the outlet. The brazen birds most likely flew there from the nearby Comacchio valleys. Europa Press via Getty Images Advertisement 'Obviously, we are looking for answers from those who have to deal with the problem. From an environmental point of view, all this is beautiful, but we must keep in mind that rice cultivation is among the most expensive, extensive crops,' said Massimo Piva, a rice grower and vice-president of the local farmers' confederation. 'They are beautiful animals, it's their way of moving and behaving, but the problem is trying to limit their presence as much as possible.'
The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Risotto rice under threat from flamingoes in north-eastern Italy
An unusual bird is ravaging crops and infuriating farmers in north-eastern Italy: the flamingo. Flamingos are relatively recent arrivals in the area, and have settled into the flooded fields that produce rice for risotto in Ferrara province, between Venice and Ravenna. The birds aren't targeting the rice seedlings but use their webbed feet to stir up the soil and snatch molluscs, algae or insects from the shallow water. The rice is collateral damage. Now farmers have started patrolling day and night in an effort to scare the birds away from their rice crops. The farmers honk truck horns, bang barrels and even fire small gas cannon that make thunderous booms. However, the noise mostly just sends the flamingoes flying to another nearby paddy to trample it underfoot. Enrico Fabbri, a local grower, said he was discouraged after seeing production losses of as much as 90% in some of his planted areas. 'These are new things that have never happened before. You invest so much time and care into preparing everything,' Fabbri, 63, said beside one of his paddies on the outskirts of Jolanda di Savoia. 'Then, just as the crop begins to grow, it's like having a newborn child taken away. That's what it feels like.' The flamingos appear to have come from former nesting grounds in the nearby Comacchio valleys, in a reserve on the coast just south of where the Po River, Italy's longest, flows into the Adriatic Sea. The birds have been there since 2000, after drought in southern Spain sent them searching for nesting grounds farther east, according to Roberto Tinarelli, the president of AsOER, the Emilia-Romagna ornithologists' association. Previously, the flamingos had been based in lakes in north Africa, parts of Spain and some of the Camargue region in France, Tinarelli said. There has been no research yet into why these flamingos started seeking food farther inland, where farmers flood their fields for a few weeks from late spring to early summer as a means of germinating newly planted rice seeds. Until the paddies are drained, the flamingos are a threat. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion 'Obviously, we are looking for answers from those who have to deal with the problem. From an environmental point of view, all this is beautiful, but we must keep in mind that rice cultivation is among the most expensive, extensive crops,' said Massimo Piva, 57, a rice grower and vice-president of the local farmers' confederation. 'They are beautiful animals, it's their way of moving and behaving, but the problem is trying to limit their presence as much as possible.' Tinarelli suggested several humane and effective solutions to fend off the flamingos, such as surrounding paddies with tall trees or hedges and, even better, reducing the water levels of freshly planted paddies to 2-4in (5 -10cm), from 12in (30cm). 'This is sufficient for the rice to grow, but decidedly less attractive to flamingos, which must splash around in the water,' he said.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Risotto rice under threat from flamingoes in north-eastern Italy
An unusual bird is ravaging crops and infuriating farmers in north-eastern Italy: the flamingo. Flamingos are relatively recent arrivals in the area, and have settled into the flooded fields that produce rice for risotto in Ferrara province, between Venice and Ravenna. The birds aren't targeting the rice seedlings but use their webbed feet to stir up the soil and snatch molluscs, algae or insects from the shallow water. The rice is collateral damage. Now farmers have started patrolling day and night in an effort to scare the birds away from their rice crops. The farmers honk truck horns, bang barrels and even fire small gas cannon that make thunderous booms. However, the noise mostly just sends the flamingoes flying to another nearby paddy to trample it underfoot. Enrico Fabbri, a local grower, said he was discouraged after seeing production losses of as much as 90% in some of his planted areas. 'These are new things that have never happened before. You invest so much time and care into preparing everything,' Fabbri, 63, said beside one of his paddies on the outskirts of Jolanda di Savoia. 'Then, just as the crop begins to grow, it's like having a newborn child taken away. That's what it feels like.' The flamingos appear to have come from former nesting grounds in the nearby Comacchio valleys, in a reserve on the coast just south of where the Po River, Italy's longest, flows into the Adriatic Sea. The birds have been there since 2000, after drought in southern Spain sent them searching for nesting grounds farther east, according to Roberto Tinarelli, the president of AsOER, the Emilia-Romagna ornithologists' association. Previously, the flamingos had been based in lakes in north Africa, parts of Spain and some of the Camargue region in France, Tinarelli said. There has been no research yet into why these flamingos started seeking food farther inland, where farmers flood their fields for a few weeks from late spring to early summer as a means of germinating newly planted rice seeds. Until the paddies are drained, the flamingos are a threat. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion 'Obviously, we are looking for answers from those who have to deal with the problem. From an environmental point of view, all this is beautiful, but we must keep in mind that rice cultivation is among the most expensive, extensive crops,' said Massimo Piva, 57, a rice grower and vice-president of the local farmers' confederation. 'They are beautiful animals, it's their way of moving and behaving, but the problem is trying to limit their presence as much as possible.' Tinarelli suggested several humane and effective solutions to fend off the flamingos, such as surrounding paddies with tall trees or hedges and, even better, reducing the water levels of freshly planted paddies to 2-4in (5 -10cm), from 12in (30cm). 'This is sufficient for the rice to grow, but decidedly less attractive to flamingos, which must splash around in the water,' he said.
