Wolves under new protection: success for agriculture and rural regions!

Wolves under new protection: success for agriculture and rural regions!

Luxemburg, Luxemburg - On June 5, 2025, an important decision regarding the wolf's protection status was announced in the EU. In the future, the wolf will only be classified as "protected" and no longer classified as "strictly protected". This change was formally accepted on Thursday in a meeting of the Minister Council in Luxembourg, as krone.at reported.

The decision is based on the return of the wolf to many regions in which it no longer occurred for a long time, as well as on a significant increase in his population. Over 20,000 wolves are currently counted in Europe, the distribution areas of which are expanding. These measures are the result of years of efforts to protect the population of wolves and at the same time take into account the needs of the rural population.

background of the decision

The adaptation of the protection status was necessary, since the EU Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, strives for a balanced approach between the protection of wild animals and the livelihood of rural communities. The environmental commissioner Jessika Roswall said that protection policy was successful, but the growing wolf population and the associated risks justify adaptation. The constant committee of the Bern Convention had already voted in December 2024 for a proposal, which changed the protection status of the wolf, such as Germany Representation Notes.

of these changes comes into force on March 7, 2025 and enables the EU member states to manage local wolf populations more flexibly. While the wolf continues to be protected, the Member States are obliged to achieve and maintain a favorable state of conservation.

reactions and measures

The reaction to this decision was shared. Chamber of Agriculture President Josef Moosbrugger described it as a "stage victory" for the alpine pasture and pasture economy. He demanded that the wolf can be huntable and regulated as part of the hunting laws of the federal states. Minister of Agriculture Norbert Tettschnig (ÖVP) also described the decision as great success for rural areas and pasture and alpineering.

In order to secure the well -being of rural communities, investments in damage prevention measures are also indispensable in order to minimize criminal mature of farm animals. The Commission plans to accompany the Member States and relevant interests financially and by supporting the implementation of measures. The need to take further protective measures is not underestimated by the Member States, and you can keep a higher level of protection if necessary.

The changes in the European Habitat Directive are part of a more comprehensive process that should not only ensure the protection status of the wolf, but also the biodiversity and livelihood in rural areas, as explained in an article by Germany representation .