The European Commission is currently considering a proposal to ease protections for grey wolves under the Bern Convention, which could allow for increased culling of the species. This potential policy shift has sparked a heated debate, as it comes at a time when the grey wolf population in Europe has made a significant recovery, growing from about 11,000 in 2012 to over 20,000 today. The wolves’ return to Europe is largely due to conservation efforts and European Union policies, following near extinction in the mid-20th century.
The controversy revolves around the concerns of farmers, who argue that the current measures for protecting livestock, such as electric fences and guard dogs, are insufficient to prevent wolf attacks. Despite compensation schemes, they claim these losses are becoming too burdensome.
On the other side, environmentalists strongly oppose the proposal, emphasizing the crucial ecological role wolves play. They argue that wolves are essential for maintaining biodiversity, controlling populations of wild boars and deer that can damage crops and forests, and limiting the spread of disease by preying on sick animals. Conservationists also argue that effective non-lethal protection measures, such as the use of trained sheepdogs, could be more effective than culling.
A 2023 EU report counters claims of significant damage, revealing that wolves kill only about 50,000 out of 68 million sheep and goats annually in Europe, which amounts to a minuscule 0.065% of the total livestock. The report also notes that there have been no fatal wolf attacks on humans in the last 40 years.
The proposal to move wolves from Annex II (strictly protected) to Annex III (protected) of the Bern Convention would reduce the level of protection they currently have, potentially paving the way for more culling. While farmers’ concerns about livestock losses are valid, conservationists stress that the long-term benefits of maintaining wolf populations outweigh the short-term challenges they pose to farming.
This debate raises important questions about balancing agricultural interests with environmental conservation, and it will be critical to find a solution that preserves both biodiversity and the livelihood of farmers.
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