Debate: Need for an urgent Council decision in favour of amending the protection status of wolves in the Bern Convention
Date: WEDNESDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 2024
Speaker: Kadri Simson
Language: EN

Increasingly, this is leading to conflict and challenges for some stakeholders and especially for livestock farmers, because of increasing depredation and killing of livestock. For that reason, on 20 December last year, in line with the commitment we made and in response to the resolution passed by this House, the Commission published an in-depth analysis on the situation of the wolves in the EU. It contains, inter alia, the most up-to-date data available for wolf populations and damage to livestock. Our analysis confirmed that after a long period of persecution, leading to near extinction, European wolf populations have made a significant recovery. This has been especially noteworthy in the last two decades and wolves now occupy large areas of their former natural range. On the basis of this in-depth analysis, the Commission tabled a proposal for a Council decision on the same day, asking the Union to submit them an amendment to the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. The proposed amendment would move the wolf from Appendix 2 – that means strictly protected species – to Appendix 3. The proposal for a Council decision is now under consideration by Member States under the leadership of the Belgian Presidency. The Commission is looking forward to a swift decision on this proposal. At the same time, the Commission continues to urge local and national authorities to take appropriate action wherever necessary, as permitted by the derogation possibilities in the current legislation. Several Member States make regular use of such derogations to authorise lethal control of wolf specimens and specimens of other protected species as well. As stressed by the Commission on several occasions, it is key to keep investing in damage prevention measures. Indeed, irrespective of any decision on the legal status of the wolf, it will always be essential to adopt prevention measures in order to reduce livestock depredation. More and more Member States are now using the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to programme support for damage prevention actions and investments. For the period 2023-27, 15 Member States have included relevant measures in their CAP strategic plans, bringing tangible solutions to farmers and local communities. And as permitted under EU State aid rules, many Member States now provide full compensation to farmers whenever damage is caused by the wolf or other protected species. To achieve our common objectives, I would like to recall the recommendations that Commissioner Sinkevičius and Commissioner Wojciechowski have sent to all Member States in November 2021, inviting them to make the best possible use of all the available EU and national funding opportunities. The support from the Commission will continue. We are stepping up financial support as well as our help to national authorities and stakeholders to find suitable solutions to facilitate this coexistence, in line with EU legislation and policy goals.