The EU member states ambassadors recently voted to lower the protection of wolves in Europe. As Poland voted in favour of the new regulations, ecologist groups were alarmed this could lead to a change in domestic nature protection policies. The EU decision is aimed to change the status of wolf protection, regulated by the Bern Convention, from ‘strictly protected’, to only ‘protected’ by international law provisions.

„Here, the legal basis is the Bern Convention, from which Poland already has a derogation”.

„So in Poland, the level was slightly lowered, even though the wolf was and is highly protected in Poland, and the restoration of this species in Poland is ongoing,” Minister Szlapka said.

The ambassadors’ decision must now be approved by ministers; as a next step, the EU will submit a proposal to the Council of Europe’s Berne Convention committee at its next meeting in December. After that, the EU wildlife protection rules can be amended.

According to the European Commission, the wolf population in EU countries has increased significantly over the last 20 years. There are more than 20,000 animals of the species in 23 EU member states. 

The countries with the highest numbers according to the 2021 estimates are Italy (around 3,000), Romania (around 2,500-3,000), Bulgaria (around 2,700) and Poland (around 1,900). 

The Minister’s statement was published after the criticism from NGOs and suggestions that the EPP party which controls the European Parliament and European Commission plans to change wolf protection rights because of significant pressure from hunter lobbies across Europe. 

Source: PAP

Photo: Pixabay

Tomasz Modrzejewski