On Tuesday 3 December, the Bern Convention Standing Committee of the Council of Europe adopted the EU’s proposal to change the status of wolf protection from “strictly protected fauna species” to “protected fauna species” (see EUROPE 13532/18).
This downgrading will make it possible to authorise the selective capture or killing of wolves, but without affecting the balance of their population.
In a joint press release, several animal protection organisations (International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Humane Society International / Europe (HSI) and the Eurogroup for Animals) denounced a “ politically motivated decision” made under pressure from farmers and hunters.
In their view, this is “a dangerous step backwards for biodiversity”, which could affect bears and lynxes in the future.
A similar proposal was made by Switzerland in 2022, but was opposed by the 27 votes of the EU, which at the time was against any change. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the initiator of the proposal, said it was necessary to have “a balanced approach between preserving wildlife and protecting our livelihoods”.
On 3 December, only five countries opposed the change in status: The United Kingdom, Monaco, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which tried unsuccessfully to postpone the vote for a year.
Tunisia and Turkey abstained.
The decision of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Habitats in Europe will be published on 6 December and will enter into force in three months’ time, unless at least 1/3 of the 50 States Parties object.
If less than 1/3 oppose it, it will only affect those states that voted in favour.
As for the EU, it still has to revise its ‘Habitats’ Directive. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)