EU approves reduced protection for wolves

Updated:

Published:

EU approves reduced protection for wolves
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

A clear majority of the EU's member states want to lower the wolf's protection status in Europe. Finally, says Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren (Christian Democrats).

The EU countries' ambassadors gave their approval on Wednesday to propose an amendment to the European Council's so-called Bern Convention on the protection of plants and animals. A formal decision from the EU's Council of Ministers is expected on Thursday morning.

It will, of course, make it easier for us to manage the wolf. You lower the protection status from "strictly protected" to "protected" and hopefully make it easier to continue the government's ambition to have a lower wolf population in Sweden, notes Kullgren.

The result may be that it becomes easier to allow wolf hunting in most EU countries – and that Sweden can avoid being taken to the EU court for the hunting that has already been carried out for several years.

There has been an ongoing case with some correspondence over time on a number of different issues, but it is clear that this is a step in the right direction: that you can manage the wolf somewhat easier, says the Minister for Rural Affairs.

An amendment to the Bern Convention can be implemented at the earliest in early December and will also require an amendment to the EU's species and habitats directive.

The EU's species and habitats directive states that wolves may only be killed under strict conditions and special circumstances. The protection applies to almost the entire EU, except for a few countries in Eastern Europe, northern Finland, and parts of Spain and Greece.

Sweden's wolf hunting has long been questioned by the EU Commission, which has not yet taken Sweden to the EU court on the matter.

The wolf population in the EU is estimated to be around 19,000 animals.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Gävle Shooting: Pub Staff Aid Injured Victims

Gävle Shooting: Pub Staff Aid Injured Victims

Police Seek Information After Linköping Shooting Injures Man

Police Seek Information After Linköping Shooting Injures Man

Kristersson Reacts to Gävle Shooting: "Shocking" Incident

Kristersson Reacts to Gävle Shooting: "Shocking" Incident

Eat Sustainably: Tips from EAT-Lancet for a Healthier Planet

Eat Sustainably: Tips from EAT-Lancet for a Healthier Planet

Man Detained in Växjö on Suspicion of Murder After Woman Found Dead

Man Detained in Växjö on Suspicion of Murder After Woman Found Dead

Storm Amy Disrupts Air and Train Traffic in Southern Sweden

Storm Amy Disrupts Air and Train Traffic in Southern Sweden

13-Year-Old Arrested in Gävle Shooting, Six Injured

13-Year-Old Arrested in Gävle Shooting, Six Injured

Explosion Damages Västerås Apartment Gate; Two Minors Suspected

Explosion Damages Västerås Apartment Gate; Two Minors Suspected

Swedish Man with Gang Ties Fatally Shot in Marbella

Swedish Man with Gang Ties Fatally Shot in Marbella

Moderate Party Proposes Tougher Penalties for Stalking Crimes

Moderate Party Proposes Tougher Penalties for Stalking Crimes

Motorcyclist in 30s Dies in Västerås Accident

Motorcyclist in 30s Dies in Västerås Accident

Antarctica Faces Rapid Ice Melt Similar to Greenland, Study Reveals

Antarctica Faces Rapid Ice Melt Similar to Greenland, Study Reveals

Linköping Shooting: Man Hospitalized, Police Investigate

Linköping Shooting: Man Hospitalized, Police Investigate

Foreign Ministry Advises Against Non-Essential Travel to Madagascar

Foreign Ministry Advises Against Non-Essential Travel to Madagascar

Cyberattack Hits Karlskrona Cogeneration Plant

Cyberattack Hits Karlskrona Cogeneration Plant

Teenager Seriously Injured in Malmö Brawl Investigated as Attempted Murder

Teenager Seriously Injured in Malmö Brawl Investigated as Attempted Murder

South Korea Apologizes for Mismanaged Adoptions to Sweden

South Korea Apologizes for Mismanaged Adoptions to Sweden

Public Health Agency to Study Impact of Adults' Screen Time on Children

Public Health Agency to Study Impact of Adults' Screen Time on Children

Kristersson Warns Synagogue Attacks Could Occur Elsewhere

Kristersson Warns Synagogue Attacks Could Occur Elsewhere

Malmö Couple Sentenced for Operating Doping Factory

Malmö Couple Sentenced for Operating Doping Factory