An EU source told The Brussels Times that the EU countries remain divided on the proposal. Some countries are opposed or expressed doubts about the numerical justification. According to a recent data analysis, there are now more than 20,000 wolves in 23 EU countries, and their packs are growing and occupying larger areas, the report stated.
The protected status of the wolf (and other large wild animals such as the lynx and brown bear) is set out in the 1979 Bern Convention. According to the Bern Convention and the 1992 EU Habitats Directive based on it, wolves enjoy ‘strict protection’, with limited possibilities for exceptions.
The concentration of wolf packs has become a danger to livestock in some European regions, according to the European Commission. President Ursula von der Leyen and Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski have asked the Environment Ministers to initiate the procedure to revise the conventions.
But because the preparatory working group will not meet again until April 4, their request will almost certainly not be on the Envi environment agenda on March 25.
Brussels wants to achieve through the EU countries that the wolf is no longer ‘strictly protected’ but simply ‘protected.’ Several non-EU countries are also party to the Bern Convention. It is doubtful whether they will allow reopening wolf hunting as well. That will only be discussed by the Convention at the end of this year.
In the planned procedure, no role is foreseen for the European Parliament. Last week, Member of the European Parliament Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) urged quick handling of the issue in Strasbourg. He also asked the European Commission to remind the EU countries of procedures to already allow shooting ‘problem wolves’ in strictly defined exceptions.