EU moves closer to allowing wolf hunting, including in Hungary
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The EP has taken a significant step toward downgrading the protection status of grey wolves across the European Union, sparking intense debate among policymakers, conservationists, and rural communities. In a recent plenary session in Strasbourg, MEPs voted in favour of a proposal to reduce the wolf’s status from “strictly protected” to simply “protected,” aligning EU law with the Bern Convention’s latest decision.
Background and motivation
The initiative, spearheaded by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen – who personally experienced livestock loss to wolves – aims to grant member states greater flexibility in managing wolf populations. Von der Leyen and supporters argue that the growing number of wolves, now estimated at over 20,000 across Europe, has led to increasing conflicts with farmers, particularly due to attacks on livestock, 24.hu writes. Local authorities have been demanding more autonomy to address these challenges, and the proposed change would allow for population control measures, including regulated hunting, where justified.
Easing wolf hunting: Conservation success or political setback?
While the resurgence of wolves is hailed as a triumph for European biodiversity, the concentration of packs in certain regions has created real threats to rural livelihoods. Proponents of the change emphasise the need to balance biodiversity with the economic realities of rural communities. The European Commission insists that member states must still ensure a favourable conservation status for wolves and retain the option to enforce stricter national protections.
That is sad news.