EU Parliament Gives Green Light to More Wolf Hunting: Controversial Shift in Protection
European Legislators Support Increased Wolf Cullings
Ready for a controversial topic? The European Union's (EU) stance on wolves has taken a turn, and it's causing quite a stir.
In a surprise move, the EU Parliament, gathered in Strasbourg, decided to ease the protection status of wolves. The change, from "strictly protected" to "protected," isn't final but looks likely to be adopted by member states. Critics are taking a stand, causing heated debates that are difficult to ignore.
Under this new rule, it'll become easier for member states to eliminate more wolves, with the goal of safeguarding livestock. Germany stated it might revise its legal framework to reflect this change. The process isn't automatic, though; alterations to the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH) and possibly the Federal Hunting Act will be needed.
According to German officials, the reduced status of the wolf will remain in effect, but problematic wolves will now be removed more seamlessly. Critics are already expressing their concerns about the lack of a scientific basis for this decision and the potential for overhunting.
The decision came after calls from the Bundesrat for easier suppression of wolves and a proposal from the EU Commission that dated back to earlier demands from the Parliament. The overarching goal is to maintain a favorable conservation status for wolves while allowing member states more leeway in managing wolf populations.
The Greens have voiced their concerns, criticizing the unfounded decision and suggesting that better protection for farm animals could be achieved without resorting to increased culls. Piercing their criticism is the argument that the EU is putting species at risk during the fastest mass extinction in Earth's history. However, proponents argue that the fear of wolves among humans, while not causing any human fatalities, does pose a significant threat to domestic animals.
The debate is charged considering the increase in incidents of sheep and cattle being killed, with farmers reporting this issue as a major concern for grazing animals. Measures to protect farm animals from wolf attacks are proving ineffective, and experts are reporting cases of wolves even entering stables.
This shift in EU wolf protection has a personal connection for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In September 2022, a gray wolf from Hannover in her native Burgdorf-Beinhorn, Lower Saxony, killed her 30-year-old pony, Dolly.
With the EU Parliament's decision causing a ripple effect, we're left to question the balance between conservation and livestock protection in the heart of Europe.
Sources: ntv.de, lar/dpa
- Wolves
- EU Parliament
- Strasbourg
- EU
- Animal welfare
- Wildlife conservation
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
The current status of wolf protection in the European Union (EU) has undergone a significant change following the European Parliament's recent decision. On May 8, 2025, the Parliament voted to downgrade the protection status of wolves from "strictly protected" to "protected" under the EU Habitats Directive, aligning with the Bern Convention's stance. This change allows member states greater flexibility in managing wolf populations, enabling measures like regulated hunting under specific conditions to mitigate conflicts with human activities, particularly livestock farming[1][2][3].
Key Points:
- Legal Framework Adjustment: The EU has adjusted its legal framework to accommodate more flexible management practices, allowing for regional adaptations and reducing bureaucratic barriers[5].
- Continued Protection Option: Member states are not required to implement the downgrade and can continue to list wolves as strictly protected under their national legislation if they choose to do so[1][2].
- Conservation Status: Despite the recovery of wolf populations, nature conservationists express concern that this decision may undermine conservation progress and harm the species' long-term survival, as it is still considered to be in an unfavorable conservation status in most EU regions[2][3].
The decision requires formal approval from the EU Council, which has already approved the text, and will enter into force once published in the EU Official Journal[1]. Member states will then have 18 months to comply with the new regulations[1].
- The EU Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, decided to lower the protection status of wolves, causing a stir in animal welfare and wildlife conservation circles.
- Critics argue that the change could potentially lead to overhunting due to the lack of a scientific basis for this decision.
- The decision was partly driven by calls from the Bundesrat for easier wolf suppression and a proposal from the EU Commission that has roots in prior requests from the Parliament.
- Germany might revise its legal framework to reflect this change, but the process isn't automatic and requires adjustments to the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH) and possibly the Federal Hunting Act.
- European countries are now left to find a balance between wolf conservation and livestock protection, as this shift in EU wolf policy has the potential to set a precedent for other wildlife management policies.
