Wolves now more easily hunted down: EU Parliament votes for increased culling
EU Legislature Endorses Increased Wolf Culling Operations
Winter is coming, and so is the wolf. Faced with an increase in farm animal attacks, the European Parliament has decided to make it easier for wolves to be shot across the EU. The decision, however, has sparked controversy.
Before, wolves were "strictly protected" under EU law. But now, a majority of MEPs voted to lower their status to "protected." This move requires the EU member states' adoption, which is expected to happen soon. Many countries want more wolf shootings to safeguard their livestock.
Should Germany follow suit, a change in national law would be necessary. According to a spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of the Environment, such shifts won't automatically alter German law. Amendments to the Federal Nature Conservation Act and the Federal Hunting Act will be required instead. This isn't such a surprise, considering the new coalition agreement, which urges the implementation of EU decisions expeditiously.
Although the wolf will remain a protected animal species, problematic wolves can now be terminated more effortlessly. In the future, regions faced with more wolf troubles are expected to find relief. As one spokesperson put it, "it's in our interest that regions where there are more problems get an easier way to deal with the wolf."
Backlash against the decision
The Bundesrat previously advocated for more lenient hunting, and the European Commission's proposal is based on earlier demands from the Parliament, specifically centering around the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH) concerning wolves.
The Greens, in particular, argue against the move, claiming a lack of scientific basis. They contend that farm animals like sheep might be better protected without more culling. MEP Sebastian Everding, representing the animal protection party, describes the entire process as "scandalous."
"We live in the fastest species extinction in Earth's history, and the EU's response to a human-induced issue—grazing without adequate herd protection—is to kill a strictly protected species." CDU/CSU group's environmental spokesperson in the EU Parliament, Peter Liese, counters this, stating, "People are afraid of the wolf." Despite the absence of deadly attacks on humans, pets remain at risk.
Von der Leyen's pony Dolly meets a tragic end at the hands of a wolf
The debate over wolves remains emotionally charged, with farmers reporting greater incidents of livestock attacks, which pose a significant challenge to grazing operations. Despite herd protection efforts, wolves have found innovative ways to breach these defenses, even reaching stables in some cases.
Data from the Federal Documentation and Consultation Centre for Wolf issues reveal a marked increase in the number of livestock killed and injured by wolves over the past decade, with over 5,700 animals affected by 2023, mostly sheep. Even EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has experienced the heartache of losing a pony to a wolf in the past. In September 2022, a gray wolf in Burgdorf, Lower Saxony, near von der Leyen's hometown, killed her 30-year-old pony, Dolly.
- Wolves
- EU Parliament
- Strasbourg
- Farm animals
- Animal welfare
Sources: ntv.de, (lar/dpa)
Additional Insights
- Lack of Evidence: Critics argue that the decision disregards scientific research that demonstrates the effectiveness of non-lethal measures for addressing conflicts between wolves and livestock management, questioning the EU's shift away from evidence-based policymaking.
- Increased Risk of Endangering Wolves: Decreased protections may lead to increased killings of wolves and destabilize wolf populations, reversing conservation progress in the EU.
- Encouragement of Inhumane Solutions: The decision may influence opinions and policies that support more extreme methods to address wolf-livestock conflicts, such as expected changes in the Netherlands by categorizing wolves as "lightly protected" and permitting faster issuance of kill permits for problematic wolf individuals.
- Negative Predator-Prey Dynamics: Reduced protection may impact predator-prey dynamics, impacting already vulnerable prey species and causing a potential rise in their populations, leading to further conflict with humans and livestock.
- Influence of Political Motivations: The decision has been attributed to political motivations, including the expectation for "deliverables" from conservation policies to appease certain voter bases, undermining the integrity of scientific consensus and democratic decision-making processes.
The EU Parliament, in Strasbourg, has voted to make it easier to shoot wolves across the EU, citing increased farm animal attacks as the reason. This decision, however, has sp sparked controversy among critics who argue it disregards scientific research and questions the EU's shift away from evidence-based policymaking.
According to some, the new policy may lead to increased killings of wolves and destabilize wolf populations, reversing conservation progress in the EU. Inhumane solutions may also be encouraged, as seen in the Netherlands where wolves are expected to be categorized as "lightly protected," allowing for faster issuance of kill permits for problematic individuals.
Critics also worry that this change in policy could impact predator-prey dynamics, potentially causing an increase in already vulnerable prey species and further conflict with humans and livestock. Additionally, some argue that the decision is driven by political motivations, including a need for "deliverables" from conservation policies to appease certain voter bases, which undermines the integrity of scientific consensus and democratic decision-making processes.
Despite a growing number of farm animals affected by wolf attacks, some argue for the use of non-lethal measures to address conflicts between wolves and livestock management. One such case is the loss of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's pony, Dolly, to a wolf in September 2022.
