The European Commission said that with the new protection regulations taking effect, wolves are less protected in most of Europe, except for three countries that oppose the move, including the UK.
The move allows hunting to be restored under strict regulations, which activists fear could lead to a large number of wolves being shot.
Activists say the measure will disturb the species’ recovery in the past decade after nearly extinction a century ago, but farmers say their numbers are growing, posing a threat to their livestock.
Members of the Berne Convention are responsible for protecting wildlife in Europe and some African countries, and in December agreed to reduce the protection status of wolves from “strict protection” to “protected”.
The Strasbourg-based European Council said the decision “will take effect in three months unless at least one-third of the parties at the General Assembly objected.”
Among the 50 political parties to the Convention – the European Council's international treaty – at least 17 protests are needed.
Instead, “the tripartite formally raised objections: the Czech Republic, Monaco and the United Kingdom. Therefore, the decision to modify the protection status of the wolf does not apply to these three parties.”
The European Commission said the new “protected” identity authorizes the exploitation of the species to prevent hazards, implement closed seasons, and regulates the sale, preservation, transportation and the sale of live and dead animals. ”
– Revised EU rules –
The gray wolf was nearly extinct in Europe 100 years ago, but its number has actually doubled to the current 20,300 people, most of which are in the Balkans, Nordic countries, Italy and Spain.
Parties to the Convention include 45 European Councils, four African countries – Burkina Faso, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia – and the EU.
The latter has been the driving force behind lowering the conservation situation, believing that the increase in numbers leads to more frequent contact with humans and livestock.
On Friday, the European Commission immediately adopted the amendment of relevant EU rules to reflect identity changes.
“In some European regions, wolves have become a real danger, especially to livestock,” said Ursula von der Leyen, chairman of the committee.
She added that reducing conservation “will help local authorities actively manage wolve populations while conserving biodiversity and our rural livelihoods.”
At the end of 2022, Von der Leyen threw her beloved pony Dolly to a wolf and climbed onto its fence on her family’s rural property in northern Germany – leading to some suggestion that the matter has become personalized.
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