On Wednesday 20 December, the European Commission proposed lowering the level of protection afforded to wolves in the EU, deeming that their excessive numbers now represent a danger, particularly to livestock.
Under the European Habitats Directive of 1992, most wolf populations in Europe benefit from ‘strict protection’, with the possibility of derogations.
The Commission is proposing to move to simple protection status, which is more flexible and makes it easier to eliminate wolves...