Shot, and Perhaps Slaughtered: EU Parliaments Decision to Lower Wolf Protections Sparks Controversy
European Lawmakers endorse increased wolf hunts
Get ready for more wolf hunts in Europe! In a surprise move, the European Parliament has decided to reduce the wolf's protection status from "strictly protected" to simply "protected." This change has been met with both support and criticism, as the EU member states now have a freer hand in managing wolf populations that threaten livestock.
The wolf is now more vulnerable to being shot, especially in regions with a higher incidence of livestock being attacked. Farmers have welcomed this decision, arguing that they should have the right to protect their livelihoods from these carnivorous beasts. However, critics claim there is no scientific basis for this decision and that it's yet another step backwards for animal welfare.
Germany is likely to change its national laws to implement the newly reduced protection status, but it won't happen automatically. Amendments to the Federal Nature Conservation Act and the Federal Hunting Act may be necessary. The coalition agreement of the new federal government stipulates this amendment should be implemented without delay.
Although wolves will remain a protected species, problematic wolves could be easier to dispose of. It's in the regions' best interest to have an easier way to manage troublesome wolves. The opposition Greens are especially critical of this decision, claiming that it's just another shortsighted solution to a human-manufactured problem.
The recent move to lower wolf protections comes after years of increased attacks on farm animals, with sheep being the most affected. In fact, over the past decade, the number of livestock killed or injured by wolves has risen dramatically, reaching over 5,700 animals by 2023[2][4][5]. Even the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has had a personal encounter with a wolf when her pony was viciously killed by one in 2022[5].
In summary, the European Parliament's decision to reduce wolf protection may make it easier for farmers to shoot the beasts that threaten their livestock, but it's also faced with strong criticisms from animal welfare advocates. Still, the EU member states, including Germany, are expected to implement this change, with the real-world impact yet to be seen.
Sources: ntv.de, lar/dpa
- Wolves
- EU Parliament
- Strasbourg
- EU
- Animals
- Animal welfare
- The EU Parliament's directive to reduce the protection status of wolves has been met with criticism regarding its potential impact on animal welfare, as it may increase the number of wolves being shot, particularly in regions with high incidents of livestock attacks.
- The new employment policy for the European Parliament's members following the decision of lowering wolf protections might necessitate the revision of existing policy-and-legislation, including in environmental-science, to account for the change.
- The controversial policy shift by the EU Parliament to reduce wolf protections has been politically debated among its member states, as some farmers support the new policy for its potential to limit wolf population growth known to threaten livestock, while critics argue it does not comply with the principles of science-based decision-making.
- The recent change in the European Parliament's employment policy, furthering the relaxation of wolf protections, has drawn attention from general news outlets and sparked broad discussions within the communities, highlighting the complexity of managing human-wildlife conflicts.
- As the EU member states prepare to implement the new wolf protection rules, there have been calls for amendments to Germany's national laws, specifically the Federal Nature Conservation Act and the Federal Hunting Act, to align with the recent directive, echoing the welfare regulations stated in the community policy on animal welfare.
