In Trentino, a recent amendment to the “Mountain Bill” has been approved, allowing the use of bear spray by firefighters and alpine rescue teams, thereby enhancing mountain safety measures. Until now, this spray, which remains prohibited for public sale, was reserved solely for the local forestry corps. Provincial councilor Roberto Failoni emphasized the importance of this decision in ensuring the safety of individuals operating in mountainous areas and promoting a balanced coexistence between humans and nature.
Failoni expressed a desire to further extend the use of the spray to forestry workers, such as forest rangers and alpine guides, highlighting that proper wildlife management is essential for peaceful living in mountainous regions. The bear spray, containing oleoresin capsicum, causes irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes and is similar to the pepper spray used for personal self-defense. However, there are concerns regarding the potential misuse of this tool by authorized users.