Suche
Mein Konto
Wolves in Austria: protection status lowered – farmers celebrate decision!
On December 3, 2024, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention reduced the protection status of wolves to enable active wolf management.
Wolves in Austria: protection status lowered – farmers celebrate decision!
The Standing Committee of the Bern Convention today took a historic step towards lowering the protection status of wolves. According to information from OTS The wolf is moved from Appendix II, where it is considered strictly protected, to Appendix III, which places it in a “protected” status. This decision was welcomed by 27 EU member states and 11 other contracting states. Farmers' Association President Georg Strasser expressed his delight at this development as it paves the way for active wolf management, which is particularly important for agriculture.
The reduction of the protection status comes at the request of the EU, which can thus adapt the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive (FFH Directive). The Council of Europe in Strasbourg said it would take just three months for these changes to take effect unless a third of signatory states object. This relaxation of protection could give Member States more leeway to hunt wolves while ensuring the conservation of the overall population. Strasser emphasizes that it is important to take farmers' concerns seriously and point out the dangers of the exponential wolf population, which can threaten not only farm animals but also the safety of the population, as in Salzburg24 is noted.
Consequences for agriculture
The return of wolves is portrayed by Strasser as a significant burden on agriculture, especially in the Alpine regions, where the protection of grazing animals is hampered by a variety of challenges. He criticizes the arguments put forward by animal protection organizations that herd protection measures such as fences and herd protection dogs are sufficient to prevent wolf attacks. Instead, he sees traditional alpine and pasture farming as being seriously endangered. The continued increase in the wolf population could also affect the acceptance and safety of rural life.
Overall, the decision to lower protection status represents a turning point in dealing with wolves. While the EU gains more flexibility in hunting the animals, the concerns of farmers, residents and nature users are at the forefront. The coming months could be crucial in determining how effectively measures to regulate the wolf population can be implemented.