Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) proposes that wolves can be killed within 21 days if they pose a threat to livestock and agriculture. The goal is to be able to intervene quickly and without bureaucracy when wolves are considered a threat. German media have referred to this as a âquick-shootingâ decision, which has already led to protests from both supporters and opponents.
Many German farmers complain about attacks on their livestock and loss of income due to wolf-related damage. According to the German Farmersâ Association (Bauernverband), the newly proposed regulation is insufficient and there is a need for a âsustainable population reductionâ of wolves.
Minister Lemke justifies her proposal by stating that the intention is not to exterminate wolves, but to find a balance between nature conservation and agricultural interests. She claims the current legal framework is too bureaucratic and time-consuming to act quickly in problematic situations.
German nature conservation organizations and animal rights activists fear the proposal sets a dangerous precedent for shooting protected species and that it could seriously harm the wolf population in Germany. The discussion about wolves and their impact on society is not limited to Germany. It is a topic receiving attention throughout Europe, as wolves have established themselves in many countries.
The German plans could therefore potentially affect the broader debate on wolf management in the European Union. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at the end of last month a rapid inventory of recent wolf problem cases.