MADRID, 20 (SERVIMEDIA)
The European Commission presented this Wednesday a proposal to lower the international protection status of the wolf, so that this animal is classified as “protected” and not “strictly protected” in the Berne Convention, relating to the conservation of wildlife and of the natural environment in Europe, and in force since June 1982.
EU countries must decide on this proposal from Brussels. Once adopted, the initiative will be presented by the EU to the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention.
Depending on what the Council and the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention decide, the European Commission could propose adapting the protection status of the wolf within the EU.
The Community Executive announced last September that it was considering modifying the protection status of the wolf in the EU due to the return of this animal to regions where it has been absent for a long time and where “conflicts” with ranchers and hunters have increased. local.
The Community Executive invited local communities, scientists and all interested parties to present updated data on the wolf population and its effects by September 22 at the latest.
“REAL DANGER”
Brussels proposed this Wednesday to lower the protection of the wolf, since the status of this animal was established with the scientific data available while the Berne Convention was being negotiated in 1979.
“The return of wolves is good news for biodiversity in Europe. But the concentration of wolf packs in some European regions has become a real danger, especially for livestock. To more actively manage critical concentrations of wolves, local authorities have been asking for more flexibility,” said the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Thursday.
The Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevicius, stressed that the proposal to change the protection status of wolves maintains the objective of biodiversity conservation and achieving and maintaining a favorable conservation status for the species.
“The Commission will continue to support national and local authorities with funding and guidance to promote coexistence with the wolf and large carnivores in general. Investment in prevention measures remains essential to reduce livestock predation,” Sinkevicius added.
Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski stressed: “In speaking with farmers and rural communities, I understand how the return of wolves has presented significant challenges in several areas, especially for pastoralism, in an already difficult socio-economic context.”
MORE THAN 20,000
The return of wolves to EU regions where they had been absent for a long time and their growing population in new territories has caused “challenges”, such as attacks on livestock and “conflicts” with farmers and hunters, especially when prevention measures of damages are not widely implemented.
According to the European Commission, wolf populations have increased significantly over the last two decades. There are more than 20,000 individuals with generally growing populations and expanding ranges, and breeding herds in 23 EU Member States.
This is a conservation success thanks to protective legislation, more favorable public attitudes and habitat improvements. “However, this expansion has caused an increase in conflicts with human activities, in particular with regard to damage to livestock, with strong pressure on specific areas and regions, occupying increasingly larger territories,” according to Brussels.
(SERVIMEDIA)20-DEC-2023 12:23 (GMT 1)MGR/gja
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