In a deeply concerning move for biodiversity across Europe, the European Parliament approved on the 8th of May the European Commission’s proposal to downgrade the protection status of wolves under the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive. What is particularly worrying is that the fast-track vote was taken in an urgency procedure in which the responsible environmental committee was not even consulted.
On the hit list: The wolf has lost its strict protection status at EU level.
© depositphotos/slowmotiongliYesterday’s vote grants Member States greater freedom to manage wolf populations—including culling. This decision represents a further retreat from a science-based nature conservation policy. Wolf populations remain fragile in many regions of Europe and the effectiveness of shooting wolves to protect livestock is highly controversial among experts. Leading scientists, conservationists, and civil society groups have consistently warned that weakening protection is not only unnecessary, but reckless.
“This vote is not only about wolves — it's about whether EU policy will be led by science and expertise or populism”, says Antje Henkelmann, wolf expert at EuroNatur. “Yesterday’s decision sends the wrong signal – that emotion and misinformation can overrule evidence and ecological responsibility. For more than 30 years, the FFH-Directive has safeguarded our last natural areas and rare species. Undermining the protection of the wolf sets a dangerous precedent that could threaten all of nature.”
EuroNatur appeals to national governments to maintain strict protection for the wolf in domestic law and to invest in non-lethal solutions that promote coexistence between people and wildlife. Europe’s natural heritage, and its credibility in global biodiversity efforts, are at stake.