EU moves closer to allowing wolf hunting, including in Hungary

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.

Fierce opposition from conservation groups

Environmental organisations, however, have condemned the move as a dangerous precedent and a setback for decades of conservation work, Euronews writes. Groups like WWF and Humane Society International argue that the decision is politically motivated and lacks scientific justification, warning it could endanger not only wolves but also other protected species such as bears and lynx. Critics highlight that scientific studies, including a 2023 Slovakian report, show that culling wolves does not reduce livestock losses and may even increase predation as weakened packs turn to easier prey.

Instead of reducing protection, conservationists advocate for increased support for farmers to invest in preventive infrastructure – such as fencing and guard animals – rather than resorting to lethal control. They stress that coexistence strategies, not hunting, are the sustainable path forward.

What’s next?

The proposed legal change is not yet in effect. It must still be approved by the EU Council. If adopted, member states will have 18 months to integrate the new rules into national law, the Hungarian News Agency reports. The debate underscores the challenge of reconciling conservation success with the evolving needs of Europe’s rural communities – a balancing act that will continue to test the EU’s environmental leadership in the years ahead.

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