The first training course on invasive alien species for airport personnel was held at the Orio al Serio (BG) international airport.
On 28-29 Nov 2018, staff from the customs, the Health Ministry, State Foresty Corp, SACBO (Società per l'Aeroporto Civile di Bergamo-Orio al Serio) and ERSAF (Ente Regionale per i Servizi all’Agricoltura e alle Foreste), for a total of 20 participants, attended the training course scheduled in Life Asap.
Orio al Serio was the first milestone of a pathway that in 2019 will lead the Life Asap project in the main Italian airports to train and inform the airport personnel on the risks linked to the spread of invasive alien species and on the controls to be performed to prevent their introduction according to present legislation. Airports are one of the major pathways through which IAS are voluntarily or accidentally introduced in our country.
This first course, held by ISPRA and Regione Lazio, was realised in collaboration with the Life GESTIRE 2020 project, organised by the State Foresty Corp together with ERSAF and SACBO, with the participation of lecturers from Milan (State and Bicocca), Pavia and Insubria Universities. Considered the great success of this first initiative, the training course could be replicated in other airports in Lombardia.
Ten Italian airports, corresponding to 75% of passengers flying in Italy, will be concerned by Life Asap activities, with the next training courses to be held at Roma Fiumicino, Milano Malpensa, Milano Linate, Venezia, Catania, Bologna, Napoli, Roma Ciampino and Pisa airports.