EU Council Approves Change in Wolf Protection Status
The European Union updates its classification of wolves, allowing for increased management flexibility while ensuring conservation obligations.
Brussels – The Council of the European Union has officially approved a significant change in the conservation status of wolves.
As of June 5, the species will no longer be classified as 'strictly protected' but will instead hold a 'protected' status under the EU's Habitat Directive.
This legislative measure, adopted unanimously, aligns European law with revisions to the Bern Treaty, an international agreement focused on protecting biodiversity across Europe.
The updated classification grants member states a greater degree of flexibility in managing wolf populations while retaining an obligation to maintain a 'favorable conservation status'.
Nations have the option to implement stricter protections at the national level, should they choose.
The change comes in the context of a notable demographic recovery of the wolf population in Europe.
A study released by the European Commission in 2023 indicates that the wolf population has nearly doubled over the last decade, increasing from approximately 11,000 individuals in 2012 to over 20,000 in 2023. This growth has, however, led to heightened tensions regarding its impact on livestock.
Recent data reveals that around 65,500 cattle are killed annually due to wolf activities within the EU.
The decision to amend the legislative framework has been accompanied by controversies related to the European Commission’s motivations.
The proposal to revise the wolf protection status follows an incident involving the death of a pony owned by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, which has been viewed as influencing the Commission's stance on the matter.
The implemented legislative act is set to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will take effect twenty days after its publication.
This resolution marks the closure of an ongoing debate that has frequently pitted conservationist objectives against the economic interests of rural regions across Europe.
As of June 5, the species will no longer be classified as 'strictly protected' but will instead hold a 'protected' status under the EU's Habitat Directive.
This legislative measure, adopted unanimously, aligns European law with revisions to the Bern Treaty, an international agreement focused on protecting biodiversity across Europe.
The updated classification grants member states a greater degree of flexibility in managing wolf populations while retaining an obligation to maintain a 'favorable conservation status'.
Nations have the option to implement stricter protections at the national level, should they choose.
The change comes in the context of a notable demographic recovery of the wolf population in Europe.
A study released by the European Commission in 2023 indicates that the wolf population has nearly doubled over the last decade, increasing from approximately 11,000 individuals in 2012 to over 20,000 in 2023. This growth has, however, led to heightened tensions regarding its impact on livestock.
Recent data reveals that around 65,500 cattle are killed annually due to wolf activities within the EU.
The decision to amend the legislative framework has been accompanied by controversies related to the European Commission’s motivations.
The proposal to revise the wolf protection status follows an incident involving the death of a pony owned by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, which has been viewed as influencing the Commission's stance on the matter.
The implemented legislative act is set to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will take effect twenty days after its publication.
This resolution marks the closure of an ongoing debate that has frequently pitted conservationist objectives against the economic interests of rural regions across Europe.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
