EU to change rules allowing states to cull wolves
The European Commission plans to allow its member states to adopt a stricter stance against wolves.
The Brussels authority announced on Friday that the protection status of the wolf would be changed from "strictly protected" to "protected." This would allow EU countries to cull the animals more easily, although they are not required to do so.
The proposal for the corresponding legislative amendment still needs approval from the European Parliament and the member states.
"In some European regions, wolf packs have become a real danger especially for livestock," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. "Today, we are proposing a change of EU law that will help local authorities to actively manage wolf populations while protecting both biodiversity and our rural livelihoods."
Wolves once exterminated in Germany
According to the conservation organization WWF, the wolf was exterminated in Western Europe, including Germany, in the mid-19th century. It survived only in eastern and southern Europe. In recent years, however, populations have markedly recovered.
According to the 2023-24 report from the German Agency for Nature Conservation, the number of verified wolves increased by 262 within a year to 1,601. The primary habitats include the states of Lower Saxony, Brandenburg and Saxony.
The German Farmers' Association (DBV) estimates there are now between 1,800 and 3,300 wolves in Germany.
German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir stated in a report that the adjustment is positive news for pastoral farming and not bad for species conservation. "Because sheep, goats and cattle on pasture strengthen biodiversity and the preservation of valuable cultural landscapes," he said.
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