On Wednesday 17 April, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) came to the opinion that the Habitats Directive had achieved its purpose with regard to the recovery of wolf and bear populations, and called for approval of the European Commission’s proposal to amend the appendices to the Bern Convention in order to modify the protection status of large carnivores.
“This would make it possible to manage the populations of these species and would benefit farmers in rural areas”, according to the opinion of Csaba Borboly (EPP, Romanian) which was adopted at the CoR plenary session. A large number of amendments have been adopted, including those put forward by the rapporteur.
During a debate, many elected representatives felt that the wolf’s protection status should be changed to give countries greater flexibility in regulating populations. Daniel Buda MEP (EPP, Romanian) supported the re-evaluation of the wolf’s protection status.
The CoR proposes that the European Commission provide financial support for the establishment of regional platforms where there are serious conflicts between large carnivores and extensive livestock farming areas in order to promote coexistence between them.
It considers it essential for the EU to “provide 100% funding” for measures to prevent, reduce or compensate damages to livestock or to crops, fruits and vegetables by large carnivores.
The Commission “must ensure that sufficient resources are allocated, without red tape, to support rural communities, especially those in which population levels of large carnivores have a significant presence”, according to the opinion (see EUROPE 13349/4). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)