The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen warned on Monday of the danger wolf packs pose to livestock and, potentially, humans in parts of Europe.
"The concentration of wolf packs in some European regions has become a real danger for livestock and potentially also for humans,” Ms. von der Leyen said, as the Commission announced that it would be gathering updated data with a view to examining the conservation status of the wolf.
Wolves have made a comeback in recent years in areas where they have long been absent, leading to conflicts with local farming and hunting communities, particularly where measures to prevent attacks on livestock are not fully implemented, the Commission said in a statement.
The European executive is inviting local communities, scientists and all interested parties to submit updated data on wolf populations and their impacts by 22 September 2023, via EC-WOLF-DATA-COLLECTION@ec.europa.eu.
The question of wolf demographics in different European countries is at the heart of heated debate – and a real battle of figures – between livestock farmers and environmental protection associations.
Based on the data collected, the Commission will decide on a proposal to modify, if necessary, the wolf’s protection status within the EU and update the legal framework. Where necessary, it will introduce greater flexibility.
At a press conference on Monday, the Commission declined to say whether it intended to make it easier to cull wolves. A spokesman indicated that the European executive was likely to move in the direction of local communities sooner rather than later.
The Commission is also calling on national and local authorities to take action where necessary, as current legislation already allows: the 1992 Habitats Directive provides for derogations under certain conditions from the protection of protected species, of which the wolf is one.
“I urge local and national authorities to take action where necessary," said Ms. von der Leyen, whose pony Dolly was killed by a wolf last year. "Indeed, current EU legislation already enables them to do so.”
