European Legislators authorize increased wolf culling
Get ready for more wolves being hunted in the EU. In a controversial move, a majority of MEPs have voted to lower the protection status of wolves from "strictly protected" to "protected." This decision, however, still requires the approval of EU member states and is expected to pass. Many countries are eager to shoot more wolves to protect their livestock.
Once the member states adopt the decision, Germany can alter its national laws to implement the reduced protection status for wolves. A spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of the Environment stated that changes to the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH) and potentially the Federal Hunting Act would be necessary.
Despite the future wolf being a protected animal species, problematic wolves might face easier shooting. The spokeswoman added, "It's in our interest that regions with more problems get easier handling of the wolf."
Backlash Against the Decision
Criticism of this decision comes from various corners, including the Greens, who argue that there's no scientific basis for the decision. Protecting farm animals like sheep could be achieved without increased hunting. The German MEP Sebastian Everding of the animal protection party finds the entire process "scandalous."
"We're witnessing the fastest species extinction in Earth's history, and the EU's response to a human-caused issue – grazing without adequate herd protection – is to kill a strictly protected species," Everding said. The spokesman for environmental policy of the CDU/CSU group in the EU Parliament, Peter Liese, emphasized, "People are afraid of the wolf."
While there have been no recorded fatal attacks on humans, wolves pose significant threats to domestic animals. The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation's documentation and advisory service on the wolf issue reveals a sharp increase in farm animals killed and injured by wolves over the past decade, with 5,727 animals affected by 2023, the majority of which were sheep.
Hunting Wolves: a Touchy Subject
The debate about wolves is emotionally charged, with incidents of farm animals like sheep and cattle being killed on the rise, posing a significant problem for livestock farmers. The growing need for measures to protect herds from wolves is making headlines, with reports suggesting that wolves are even entering stables[1].
Politics often gets involved in this heated discussion. The EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who recently lost a pony to a wolf, expressed her support for controlled hunting of wolves in certain areas[2].
Overall, the decision to lower the wolf's protection status is controversial, scaling back decades of conservation efforts and raising concerns about the long-term impact on biodiversity and the effectiveness of wildlife conservation efforts[3].
For those of you wondering, "Why was the wolf's protection status lowered?" - the decision primarily stems from political pressure, including farmers and right-wing groups. This change aligns with the Bern Convention's decision to downgrade wolf protection and follows a proposal by the European Commission to amend the EU Habitats Directive[4].
- Wolves
- EU Parliament
- Strasbourg
- EU
- Animals
- Animal welfare
[1] ntv.de[2] investigreporter.org[3] wwf.de[4] europarl.europa.eu
- The controversial decision made by the EU Parliament to lower the wolf's protection status will likely lead to an increase in wolf hunts across the EU.
- The EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has expressed support for controlled hunting of wolves in certain areas, following a loss of her own pony to a wolf.
- The decision to downgrade the wolf's protection status is primarily due to political pressure, including farmers and right-wing groups, and aligns with the Bern Convention's decision to do the same.
- The Greens have criticized this decision, arguing that there is no scientific basis for it and that farm animals could be protected without increased hunting.
- Despite the wolf being a protected animal species, problematic wolves might face easier shooting once member states adopt the decision, threatening the long-term impact on biodiversity and the effectiveness of wildlife conservation efforts.
