In a controversial move, the European Union has taken a step towards legalizing the culling or hunting of wolves by proposing changes to the Bern Convention on wildlife conservation. This proposal, put forward by the European Commission and supported by all but two EU governments, would downgrade the status of wolves from ‘strictly protected’ to ‘protected’. This would allow for easier hunting of the species, which is currently only allowed in extenuating circumstances.
Nature conservationists have strongly condemned this decision, calling it ‘shameful’ and accusing governments of catering to populistic scaremongering campaigns. Green groups argue that this move undermines biodiversity protection and sends a disastrous signal just weeks before the conference of parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
However, supporters of the proposal, including the European People’s Party, argue that the increase in wolf populations poses a threat to pastoral farming, tourism, and rural communities across Europe. They believe that the decision will help address these challenges and protect rural livelihoods.
The European Commission has welcomed the agreement, emphasizing that member states will still be required to maintain a favorable conservation status for wolves. The farming lobby group Copa-Cogeca has also expressed support for the decision, stating that it listens to the needs of farmers and rural dwellers who often bear the consequences of wolf attacks.
The proposal is set to be voted on by ministers tomorrow and then tabled at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention in December. The outcome of these decisions will have significant implications for the conservation of wolves in Europe.
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