WRITTEN QUESTION E-0677/97 by Heidi Hautala (V) to the Commission (6 March 1997)

Subject: Protection of wolves

The wolf is one of the most strictly protected species under the Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. It was, however, agreed at Finland's accession negotiations that the hunting of wolves should still be permitted in reindeer-keeping areas. On 30 December 1996, the Finnish Government amended its hunting regulation in what amounted to unilateral derogation from the conservation of wolves outside the reindeer-keeping area between 1 November and 31 March. The regulation came into force on 15 January 1997.

Article 16 of the nature conservation directive states that a Member State may derogate from the provisions of the directives, and that a single member of a species may be transported or killed 'provided that there is no satisfactory alternative and the derogation is not detrimental to the maintenance of the populations of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status in their natural range' and if this derogation is needed 'to prevent serious damage...(or) in the interests of public health'. Under the Finnish hunting law it was possible even before the amendment of the hunting regulation to kill troublesome wolves if 'such killing is necessary to avert an immediate threat to persons, domesticated or farmed animals or other property'.

Does the Commission think that Finland's policy on wolves is in accordance with the nature conservation directive? Has the Commission taken any action in this matter since the Finnish hunting regulation was amended in January?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1997)

The wolf belongs to the animal species of Community interest in need of strict protection. The Member States shall prohibit all forms of deliberate killing of wolves according to the provisions of Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats of wild fauna and flora ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. )). The Member States may derogate from this

prohibition for certain reasons, provided that there is no satisfactory alternative and the derogation is not detrimental to the maintenance of the population of wolves at a favourable conservation status. The derogation is justified e.g. to prevent serious damage to livestock or in the interest of public safety.

By the Act of Accession, Finland was granted a derogation from the provisions of the Directive concerning the strict protection of wolves in the northern reindeer management area. Otherwise, the Directive applies normally to the main area of Finland.

The Commission has not yet received from Finland any communication of national implementation measures concerning the recent amendment of hunting legislation. Therefore, the Commission has not been able to assess its conformity with Community law.

In general, Finland has communicated its main hunting legislation as a partial implementation of the Directive. The Commission has made a conformity check, which resulted in a letter to Finland with detailed comments and a request for further information. An extensive answer from the Finnish authorities is currently being assessed by the Commission.