On Wednesday 16 April, the representatives of the Member States (Coreper) decided to bring the Habitats Directive into line with the amendment to the Bern Convention of 7 March (see EUROPE 13595/19), which will change the wolf’s protection status from ‘strictly protected species’ to ‘protected species’.
This change in legal status gives Member States greater flexibility in wolf management. The aim is to “minimise the impact of the growing population of the species”, including the “socio-economic challenges” facing sheep farmers in particular, explained the Council of the EU. Member States wishing to do so will be able to maintain a higher level of protection.
If Parliament adopts a position identical to that of the EU Council and the Commission, in a vote scheduled for May, the EU Council will formally adopt the amended directive.
MEPs on Parliament’s Committee on the Environment have opted for the urgency procedure in order to avoid a complete reopening of the Habitats Directive by the right wing of the Hemicycle (see EUROPE 13603/18).
In its press release, the Council of the EU stated that support for coexistence and prevention measures would continue to be provided through European funding. (Original version in French by Florent Servia)