EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/837

(2004/C 84 E/0930)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0663/04

by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 March 2004)

Subject: Measures against concentrations of wolves in Finland

Finnish Members of the European Parliament are increasingly being contacted because the danger posed by wolves in Finland has grown. In areas bordered by small bodies of water, concentrations of wolves have grown to such an extent that some people are even in a state of panic. There are clear indications that numbers of wolves are increasing and that wolves are spreading into quite new areas.

The wolf stock in Finland forms part of a single stock with its counterpart in Russia, and if one bears this in mind, the total population could be as large as 10 000. The biggest problems in Finland exist in certain regions close to the eastern border: for example in Northern Karelia it has been proven that there are dozens of wolves living close to human habitations. In the Ruokolahti area there is a new concentration, which is preventing the holding of the traditional hunting dog championships there. Further north, the increase in the number of large predators will soon put an end to reindeer farming, which is a traditional source of livelihood there.

The view of local residents is that the existing blanket protection of wolves provided for by EU rules is creating an impossible state of affairs. In order to make it possible to issue hunting licences in ‘exceptional cases’ on account of the increase in numbers of wolves, it is necessary to have demonstrable proof of problems over a long period. People are wondering how many good elkhounds have to be lost first and whether a child has to die on the way to school before anything can be done about the situation. In a situation where people are in a state of panic, it is not enough for hunting licences to be granted only for the killing of ‘problem individuals’. The wolf stock ought to be controlled in such a way that wolves do not come into people's yards and gardens or impinge on routes between homes and schools causing fear and real danger.

At present, unfortunately, it seems that decisions are made on the basis of information which is years old and using only information supplied by environmental organisations, while the threat of legal action hangs over the national authorities. Such a policy does not help people who are constantly confronted by wolves.

I have studied the Commission's answer to question P-4034/03 (1), but would appreciate further clarification concerning it. What will the Commission do to ensure that the authorities are able — and dare — to react quickly to a situation, ‘inter alia’ by issuing hunting licences as needs dictate?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 2004)

As the Honourable Member knows, in joining the EU, Finland agreed to conform to the Community legislation and rules. Several large carnivores, such as wolf, brown bear and lynx, are protected by Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2) (hereafter Habitats Directive), Annex IV (a). These species are therefore subject to a strict protection scheme that requires, among others, that their deliberate killing is prohibited. The Directive does, however, recognize that in certain situations there may exist the need for derogation from this general rule of strict protection. These justifications, which include public safety and damage to agricultural interests are listed in Article 16 of the Directive. Member-States may apply these derogations 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.

Wolf populations in the reindeer herding area in Finland are exempted from Annex IV(a), but are listed in Annex V to the same Directive. This means that management measures may be used to control the population. Nevertheless, for species covered by this annex, the use of means capable of causing local disappearance of, or serious disturbance to, populations is prohibited. This therefore applies to wolf populations in the reindeer herding area (3). It lies within the competence of the national authorities to take appropriate measures with due regard to the above. According to the information the Commission has received, there have been no reproductions of wolves in the reindeer herding area in recent years.

Information provided by the Finnish authorities to the Commission on reindeer mortality indicate that road kills (2 500 animals in 2002) are far more significant than predation by large carnivores (2-300 killed by wolves in 2002). The claim that the level of predation is in danger of putting an end to reindeer husbandry (200 000 animals in Finland 2002) is certainly not supported by the official data.

Outside the reindeer herding area killing of wolves is allowed only in accordance with Article 16 derogation, i.e. it is possible only in cases where there is no satisfactory alternative and provided that the derogation is not detrimental to the maintenance of populations of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status in their natural range. The Commission is aware that the Finnish authorities are permitting a number of wolves to be killed every year by way of such derogations.

While it is true that there has been a small increase in wolf population in Finland during the recent years this has been from a very low figure. The current estimated population of 140 (official Finnish data) cannot be regarded as representing a favourable conservation status in the terms of the Habitats Directive. This assessment is not contested by the Finnish authorities since the official Red Data Book of endangered species published by the Ministry of Environment and the Finnish Environment Institute includes the wolf. This population level remains very low compared to a number of other Member States (e.g. Spain 2 000, Italy 500, Portugal 400).

The management of the species in the Annexes lies within the competence of the national authorities, taking into regard the requirements of the Directive. The Commission has discussed on a number of occasions the issue of wolf management in Finland with the national authorities and have encouraged them to formulate comprehensive policy and approach within an overall national management plan. The Finnish authorities agreed in July 2002 to prepare such a plan before the end of 2002. The Commission has yet to receive this plan.

(1) See page 136.

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(3) Article 15 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC.