Conservationists have criticized an agreement made behind closed doors by EU governments to ease protection for Europe’s wolves. The European Commission’s proposal to downgrade the status of wolves under the Bern Convention on wildlife conservation was supported by all but two EU governments, with only Ireland and Spain planning to vote against it.
The move would allow for the routine culling or hunting of wolves, a decision that has been condemned by green groups. Sophie Ruysschaert of BirdLife Europe called it a betrayal of facts and pragmatic solutions, while Sabien Leemans of WWF European Policy Office labeled it a disastrous and shameful signal from Europe.
On the other hand, the center-right European People’s Party (EPP) celebrated the decision as a breakthrough in addressing the increasing wolf population, which they see as a threat to pastoral farming and rural communities. The EPP emphasized the need to balance conservation efforts with the concerns of farmers and rural dwellers.
The European Commission welcomed the agreement, assuring that member states would still be required to maintain a favorable conservation status for wolves. Copa-Cogeca, a farming lobby group, also supported the decision, citing the need to listen to the needs of farmers and rural residents affected by wolf attacks.
The proposal will be voted on by ministers, with expected endorsement tomorrow, and then tabled at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention in December. The move has raised concerns among conservationists about the future of wolf populations in Europe and the impact on biodiversity conservation efforts.
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