The European Union is considering changes to its protections for wolves as their population increases, sparking a debate between farmers and environmentalists. Ambassadors of the 27 EU nations have tentatively agreed to seek adjustments to the rules safeguarding wolves under the European Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. A final decision is expected in December pending an official vote by EU ministers.
Wolves have been encroaching on agricultural lands, leading to conflicts with farmers who have reported livestock attacks by wolfpacks. The issue gained prominence when a wolf killed a pony owned by the EU Commission President two years ago. With an estimated 19,000 wolves across EU member countries, countries like Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Spain are known to have significant wolf populations.
While wolves are currently classified as a 'strictly protected' species in most of Europe, their numbers have surged by 25% in the last decade. The proposed changes would downgrade their protection status to 'protected,' allowing for more measures to manage their interactions with farmers and the public.
Recent incidents, such as alarming encounters with wolves in forest areas near Utrecht, have raised concerns about the animals' behavior. The move to relax wolf protections comes amidst growing criticism of EU environmental regulations, with some political groups advocating for a more flexible approach to managing the wolf population.
The decision has been met with mixed reactions, with conservative and farming groups welcoming the move as a necessary step to address the challenges posed by wolves. However, animal welfare organizations have expressed disappointment, warning that facilitating culling could have negative implications for conservation efforts and coexistence with wildlife.
