The European Commission made an offer to European Union (EU) countries this Wednesday change protection status Changing the wolf from “strictly protected” to simply “protected” and updating the legal framework to provide greater flexibility in the management of wolf populations.
Commission approves wolf conservation status Adopted in 1979 – within the scope of the international Berne convention on the protection of wild fauna, flora and natural habitats of Europe – taking into account scientific data available at the time of negotiations.
However, he assured that: Wolf populations have increased “significantly” according to recently collected data It has emerged over the last two decades and has presented new challenges, particularly in some EU regions where attacks on livestock have increased.
Brussels therefore called on national and local authorities to take the “necessary measures” with the support of society and to offer them a “clear perspective” with new approaches. management flexibility of these large carnivores When existing tools are inadequate.
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said: “The re-emergence of wolves is good news for biodiversity in Europe. However, the concentration of wolf packs in some European regions has become a real danger, especially for livestock.”
Von der Leyen recalled that local authorities have asked for more flexibility to manage “critical wolf concentrations more actively” in recent years, and argued that the EU should make it easier for this management to find solutions. “Targeted solutions” that protect both biodiversity and rural livelihoods.
The Community Executive’s proposal states: Increasing number of wolves in Europe It “justifies” the adaptation of legal conservation status to allow for greater management flexibility while maintaining the goal of maintaining a positive conservation status for the species.
“The Commission will continue to support national and local authorities with funding and guidance to promote coexistence with wolves and large carnivores in general. Investment in prevention measures to reduce animal predation is vital,” said Environmental Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius.
States must speak out now
It is now up to Member States to decide on this proposal. If accepted, the adaptation of the wolf conservation status to the community club will be submitted by the EU to the Berne Convention Standing Committee for subsequent recommendation.
However, environmental organization WWF asks EU countries to reject this proposalas he argued that the wolf had not achieved a positive conservation status in the majority of Member States, which he felt was motivated by Von der Leyen’s “personal reasons” and had no “scientific justification”.
“President Von der Leyen is deliberately sacrificing decades of conservation work for her own political gain, echoing efforts by her political allies to instrumentalize the wolf as a scapegoat for the socioeconomic problems of rural communities,” the organization said in a statement. , Sabien Leemans.