Approval of reduced wolf protections granted
The European Union has introduced an amendment to the protection status of wolves under the EU Habitats Directive, transforming them from "strictly protected" to "protected" species. This change aims to align EU legislation with the Bern Convention and afford more adaptable management options for wolf populations across Europe.
The move comes as the wolf population experiences successful recovery and conflicts with human activities like livestock farming in certain regions become more prevalent. Under the amended directive, the EU is aligning its wolf protection status with that of the Bern Convention, which also classifies wolves as "protected" species.
The updated legislation allows for more flexibility in managing wolf populations to promote coexistence with human activities and mitigate the effects on agriculture. Member states will have 18 months to implement the new directive following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Fifteen member states, including Portugal, have allocated funds in their Common Agricultural Policy strategic plans for preventive actions and investments mitigating damage caused by large carnivores, including wolves. The funds may cover additional labor costs associated with protective fencing, guard dogs, and herders, as well as environmentally beneficial grazing practices.
Upon implementing the new directive, member states must continue monitoring the conservation status of wolf populations and submit regular reports to the Commission every six years. They are also required to take necessary measures to maintain a favourable conservation status for all protected species.
Currently, wolves can be found in all continental European countries, with some nations hosting large populations of more than 1,000 individuals. The European Commission reports that over 20,000 wolves reside in Europe, with increasing populations and distribution areas noted.
As the amendment prioritizes maintaining a favourable conservation status for wolves, it is implied that member states will need to continue monitoring wolf populations and their impact on local ecosystems. The change aims to balance conservation objectives with the needs of rural communities, though some environmental groups have expressed disappointment, claiming it may jeopardize biodiversity and contradict scientific advice.
- Portugal, along with fifteen other European Union member states, has earmarked funds in their Common Agricultural Policy strategic plans for actions aimed at mitigating damage caused by large carnivores, such as wolves, under the amended EU Habitats Directive, specifically in the realm of environmental-science and policy-and-legislation.
- The level of science and environmental-science education within Portugal and the rest of Europe might be instrumental in addressing the challenges that arise from the increased presence of wolves in urban and rural areas, ensuring the continuation of coexistence between these predators and human activities, as per the focus on the general-news.
- As Portugal's wolf population continues to grow and encounter conflicts with human activities like livestock farming, it is crucial for the nation's political leadership to formulate effective policy-and-legislation strategies that balance conservation objectives with the needs of rural communities, aligning with the amendment of the EU Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention's "protected" status for wolves.
