EU Moves to Weaken Wolf Protection Amid Growing Controversy
In a significant policy shift, EU representatives, backed by Germany, are advancing towards a relaxation of wolf protection laws. This change, confirmed by several diplomats in Brussels, indicates a departure from Germany's previous stance on wolf conservation. The proposed amendment aims to downgrade the wolf's protection status from 'strictly protected' to 'protected', potentially facilitating easier hunting practices. However, it is essential to note that this decision is not yet binding in EU law and marks only the initial phase of a longer legislative process.
The proposed changes will require formal adoption at the ministerial level before the EU can submit a request to the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention. This international treaty, established in 1979, is designed to safeguard European wildlife and flora. If a majority of the Committee agrees to the proposed changes, the EU Commission can then submit a formal proposal to alter the wolf's protection status within EU law. This proposal will also need majority approval from EU states and the European Parliament, ensuring that any changes are thoroughly debated.
Germany's Herd Protection Priority and Rising Tensions
Germany has emphasized that the focus of this change is solely on the wolf's protection status, not that of other wildlife. The German government insists that effective herd protection is crucial for the coexistence of wolves and livestock, particularly in light of increasing reports of wolf attacks on sheep and cattle. Carina Konrad, deputy leader of the FDP parliamentary group, articulated the need for clear regulations that allow for the hunting of wolves to protect livestock from fatal attacks.
The debate surrounding wolf protection has intensified, especially in regions like Lower Saxony, where farmers have reported a surge in livestock attacks. The German Farmers' Association has recorded over 4,300 incidents of livestock being killed, injured, or going missing due to wolf attacks in 2022 alone, a stark increase from previous years. As tensions rise, calls for population management and even the establishment of 'wolf-free zones' are becoming more prominent among livestock farmers.
