Europe weakens wolf protection in "major blow to science and biodiversity after vote by EU member states", environmental advocacy says
Europe weakens wolf protection in "major blow to science and biodiversity after vote by EU member states", environmental advocacy says
The plans to speed up the shooting of wolves in the EU have cleared a crucial hurdle. The representatives of the 27 states voted in favour of lowering the protected status of the animals and thus simplifying hunting.
A majority of EU Member States agreed to adopt the European Commission's proposal to downgrade the protection status of the wolf under the Bern Convention. This shift opens the door to wolf culling as a false solution to livestock depredation, which runs counter to Europe’s commitment to safeguard and restore biodiversity. The decision which cannot be scientifically justified went through after Germany changed its position from abstention to support.
With this decision, Member States have chosen to ignore the call of over 300 civil society organisations, among others EuroNatur, and more than 300,000 people urging them to follow scientific recommendations and step up efforts to foster coexistence with large carnivores through preventive measures.
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Wolves are strictly protected under both the Bern Convention and the EU Habitats Directive, serving as a keystone species vital for healthy ecosystems and biodiversity across Europe. Weakening their protection will hinder the ongoing recovery of wolf populations.
‘The EU's decision will not only destabilise the still fragile wolf populations in large parts of Europe, but also undermine the significant progress made towards a coexistence of humans and wolves,’ says Antje Henkelmann, project manager and wolf expert at EuroNatur. ‘Only efficient herd protection can prevent livestock kills. Instead, the EU is focussing on symbolic but inefficient culls. With her turnaround, the Federal Environment Minister is not only weakening wolf protection, but also giving in to populist demands that are of little use to livestock farmers,’’ says the biologist.
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Wolves aren't a threat to humans.
There has been one attack in the 21st century.
I've been attacked by a buzzard (bird of prey). Doesn't mean we should start culling them.
They are a direct threat to farm animals though.
And if a farm animal was killed by a wolf, the farmer can get financial compensation for the animal. So what's the problem really?
Besides, farm animals get killed by humans en masse. The "animal produce" industry is one of the major contributors to climate change, constantly worsening the life of everyone, leading to an ongoing decline in wildlife and killing thousands of humans, especially during heat waves. But if rarely some wolves kill a farm animal, it's suddenly a gigantic problem.
The irony in this...
Less of a threat than dogwalkers. Do you propose we kill people's pets too?
Besides, farmers get reimbursed for livestock that are killed.
Buzzards?
But ... why? There is a lot of reason to not put humans first everywhere. Having a natural ecosystem with biodiversity, wolves and even bears is totally preferable to some guys being able to hike through every forest everywhere.