Wolves: New protection status causes excitement in rural areas!

Wolves: New protection status causes excitement in rural areas!

In December 2023, the EU Commission announced that the wolf's protection status in Europe dismissed. This decision was made to take into account the growing conflicts between the increase in wolf populations and the interests of rural communities. In the European Union, over 20,000 wolves now live, the populations of which are growing steadily. Agriculture Minister Norbert Tettschnig was actively committed to reducing protection status to enable more effective regulation.

The updated Flora-Fauna-Habitat guideline (FFH guideline) is now adapted to the revised Bernese convention, as https://www.kleinezeitung.at/service/newsticker/chronik/19764737/woelfe-duer-eu-schneller-abschösen-werden). In September 2024, the EU countries approved the change, while an amendment was accepted in December. The new protection status, which reduces the wolf status from "strictly protected" to "protected", comes into force on March 7, 2025

flexibility in population management

The constant committee of the Bern Convention has approved the European Commission's proposal to change protection status. At the same time, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes the importance of finding a balanced approach between the protection of wild animals and the livelihoods in rural areas. Environmental commissioner Jessika Roswall explains that the successful EU has contributed to the wolf to recover of the species, but it is now necessary to adapt the protection status due to the rapidly growing populations in some Member States. This flexibility enables local authorities to manage wolf populations more active and to protect the biological diversity in the affected regions, according to [Germany Representation.

With the lowering of protection status, the wolf remains a protected species, but the Member States now have the option of adapting and tightening the protective measures depending on the regional needs. This could be particularly important for farmers and cattle breeders who are repeatedly burdened by wolf attacks on their farm animals.

reactions and consequences

Josef Moosbrugger, President of the Austria Chamber of Agriculture, described the decision as a "stage victory" for the alpine pasture and pasture industry. He demands that the wolf can be regulated as part of the hunting laws. Combarded, the adaptation of the FFH guideline described as a "great success" for rural areas. His demand for a regulation reflects the concerns of the pet owners concerned, who want to cattle according to available effective means.

In addition, the EU Commission emphasizes that an investment in damage prevention measures will remain essential in order to minimize maturation of prey. Diese werden durch finanzielle Unterstützung und aktive Begleitung der Kommission gefördert, um eine effektive Umsetzung der neuen Regelungen zu gewährleisten, wie Germany Representation determined.