The European Parliament has voted to change the protection status of wolves in the EU, reducing it from "strictly protected" to "protected". This was reported in a press release on the European Parliament's website, reports UNN.
Details
With 371 votes in favour, 162 against and 37 abstentions, Parliament backed the Commission's proposal for a targeted amendment to the Habitats Directive to bring the EU's wolf protection status into line with the Bern Convention, downgrading it from "strictly protected" to "protected"
According to the press release, Member States will now have greater flexibility in managing their wolf populations to improve coexistence with humans and minimise the impact of the growing wolf population in the EU. They will also be better able to take measures tailored to specific regional circumstances.
At the same time, states are obliged to continue to ensure a favourable conservation status for the wolf and may continue to classify the wolf as a strictly protected species in national law and take stricter measures to protect it.
According to reports, Parliament agreed on Tuesday to consider the case under its urgent procedure. To enter into force, the bill now requires formal approval by the Council, which approved the same text on 16 April 2025. The Directive will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Member States will then have 18 months to implement it.
According to the Commission, there are more than 20,000 wolves in Europe, and their population and range are growing. However, this is causing increasing conflict, including attacks on livestock.