Official statements or policy changes by the European Commission

Europe Downgrades Wolf Protection Under Bern Convention; Easier Culling from 2025

Dec 3, 2024, 11:23 AM

European countries have approved a proposal to downgrade the protection status of wolves from "strictly protected" to "protected" under the Bern Convention, effective from 2025, allowing for easier culling of the animals as their numbers increase across the continent. The decision, endorsed by the Council of Europe on December 3, 2024, and backed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who stated, "We need a balanced approach between the preservation of wildlife and the protection of our livelihoods," aims to balance wildlife preservation with the protection of agricultural livelihoods impacted by wolves preying on livestock. Farmers have welcomed the move, while conservationists have criticized it as politically motivated and not based on scientific evidence, expressing concern that it could lead to increased hunting, including for sport, and jeopardize the species' recovery after near extinction a century ago.