Debate: Reviewing the protection status of wolves and other large carnivores in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Mairead McGuinness
Language: EN

The wolf, the bear and the lynx are large carnivores that are native species here in Europe. They are part of Europe’s biodiversity and natural heritage, and we are all committed to their protection and conservation through European and international law. They play an important role, helping to keep ecosystems balanced and healthy. In practice, they help to regulate the density and distribution of overabundant wild species like wild boar or deer. Wolves remove the most vulnerable wild animals, which are very often diseased. And this in turn helps reduce the incidence of diseases that are transmitted to livestock. But of course, this is only one part of the story. It is clear that the return of wolves to regions of the EU where they have long been absent and the growth of wolf populations in new areas is a delicate topic. It is increasingly leading to conflicts with local communities and farmers. And this is especially the case where measures to prevent attacks on livestock are not widely implemented. We fully understand the reality of attacks on livestock and we acknowledge the problem for the farmers concerned. So I want to stress that the Commission takes the problem of wolves preying on livestock very seriously. Mitigating the impact of wolf attacks on livestock is a priority, and indeed, it has been a priority for a long time – at the very start of the Habitats Directive and the LIFE programme. This goal has become even more prominent in recent years. More and more Member States are using the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to support action and investment to prevent damage to livestock. For the period up to 2027, 15 Member States have included measures in their CAP strategic plans, providing concrete solutions for farmers and local communities, and many authorities provide full compensation to farmers whenever wolves or other large carnivores cause damage. But I do acknowledge that for farmers, when this happens, it is a traumatic event. To support national and regional authorities, in October 2021, the Commission published new guidance with practical tips on how to reconcile protecting wildlife with human activities. This also clarified the scope and conditions for derogations to manage the wolf and other species. Now, in parallel, we have had to make sure we base our policies on the most accurate and up-to-date information. So in March this year, the Commission committed to carrying out an in-depth analysis on wolves in the EU, taking into account all available scientific and technical data. And this analysis is now underway. It started in April in cooperation with Member States and stakeholder representatives in the relevant expert group. Last week we launched a new phase in our work. We broadened our data collection exercise in order to obtain a complete picture. We are inviting local communities, scientists and all interested parties to submit up-to-date data on wolf populations and their impacts by 22 September. And based on the analysis of all the collected data, the Commission will draw conclusions on the situation of the wolf in the EU. We will then decide on a proposal to modify, if appropriate, the protection status of the wolf within the EU and whether to update the legal framework to introduce, where necessary, additional flexibility in the light of the information we gather. So thank you for this debate and I look forward to your contributions.