Italian State Forestry Corps

Italian State Forestry Corps
Agencyname	Italian State Forestry Corps
Nativename	Corpo forestale dello Stato
Formed	15 October 1822
Preceding1	Corps of Royal Foresters
Dissolved	31 December 2016
Superseding	Carabinieri – Forestry, Environmental and Agri-food Unit Command
Country	Italy
Legaljuris	National
Governingbody	Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies
Speciality1	forestry
Headquarters	Rome

Contents

History
Organization
Duties and responsibilities
Equipment and vehicles
Ranks and insignia
See also

Italian State Forestry Corps. The Italian State Forestry Corps was a national police force in Italy specializing in environmental protection, forestry, and agri-food security. Operating under the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, its duties ranged from combating wildfires to enforcing laws on protected areas and endangered species. The corps was formally dissolved in 2016, with its functions and personnel integrated into the Carabinieri.

History

The corps traces its origins to the Corps of Royal Foresters, established in the Kingdom of Sardinia on 15 October 1822 by King Charles Felix. Following the Unification of Italy, its mandate expanded across the new nation, playing a key role in managing the forests of the Alps and Apennine Mountains. Throughout the 20th century, its responsibilities grew to include the protection of national parks like Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park and combating environmental crimes. A major reorganization occurred after World War II, aligning its mission with the nascent Italian Republic. The corps was ultimately dissolved by the Renzi Cabinet as part of a broader public security reform, with its operations fully transferred to the Carabinieri on 31 December 2016.

Organization

The corps was organized with a central command in Rome, overseeing a structure of regional and provincial commands throughout Italy. Key operational divisions included the National Anti-Poaching Unit, the Investigative Unit for Environmental and Agri-food Crimes, and the Mounted Foresters Unit. It maintained specialized departments for aviation, dog handling, and diving teams for underwater investigations. The corps also operated the CUTFAA (Specialist Unit for Agro-Food Fraud) and coordinated closely with other agencies like the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research and local police forces.

Duties and responsibilities

Primary duties included the surveillance of state-owned and communal forests, prevention and suppression of wildfires, and enforcement of laws concerning hunting and fishing. The corps conducted criminal investigations into illegal logging, poaching of protected fauna such as the Marsican brown bear, and agri-food fraud. It was responsible for monitoring and protecting Natura 2000 sites, managing wildlife populations, and ensuring the safety of mountain areas. Additional roles included search and rescue operations in wilderness regions and providing support during national emergencies and disasters.

Equipment and vehicles

The fleet included all-terrain vehicles like Land Rover Defenders and Iveco trucks, often painted in distinctive green and white livery. For aerial firefighting and surveillance, the corps operated a fleet of Canadair CL-415 amphibious aircraft and Agusta-Bell 412 helicopters. Personnel were equipped with standard police gear, including sidearms, and utilized specialized tools for forestry work and forensic investigations. Communication systems were integrated with national networks like the Civil Protection Department and the Italian Fire Brigade.

Ranks and insignia

The rank structure was paramilitary, mirroring other Italian police forces. Officer ranks included Dirigente Generale, Primo Dirigente, and Vice Questore. Inspector ranks comprised Ispettore Superiore and Ispettore Capo. The basic agent rank was Sovrintendente, with subordinate ranks including Assistente and Agente Scelto. Insignia were worn on shoulder boards and headgear, featuring stylized oak leaves and stars denoting rank, with a distinctive green and silver color scheme. The corps' emblem featured the Italian republican star and a stylized tree.