Let's Talk About the Wolf: A Discussion on Including Wolves in Germany's Hunting Law
National officials look to incorporate the wolf into the country's legal hunting regulations. - Minister advocates for wolves' inclusion in country's hunting regulations.
You might've heard the buzz - some environment ministers in Germany want the wolf to be included in their national hunting law. Recently, gatherings took place at Mettlach-Orscholz, Saarland, where passionate discussions occurred.
Till Backhaus, the Environment Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (SPD), emphasized the demand for a secure, enforceable solution. He said, "We need a legally secure and above all, legally enforceable solution here."
Hanka Mittelstaedt, Agriculture and Environment Minister of Brandenburg (SPD), echoed similar sentiments, delighting in the clear signal suggesting that their demands were on the right track.
As for Brandenburg, Germany's leading state with the most wolf packs, debate has been raging for quite some time about lowering the wolf population and implementing a hunting quota. Despite this, there's a contentious issue between nature conservation associations and the prospect of killing wolves due to livestock predation.
Now, some might be wondering, what about the wolf's protection status? The ministers have put their hope in the recent decision made by the European Parliament, which downgraded the protection status of the wolf in the EU. This change make way for more aggressive wolf hunting.
While the EU approval process is still ongoing, many countries are eager to hunt wolves to protect their livestock. As per the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, approximately 209 confirmed wolf packs, with around 1,600 animals, reside in Germany in 2023/2024. These wolf settlements are primarily concentrated in regions such as Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Lower Saxony.
Wolf Hunt: A Controversial Matter
Though the specific details of the Brandenburg controversies are unavailable, broader public opinions in Germany show a mixed picture. For instance, a recent survey indicated that 53% of respondents either oppose or have an indifferent attitude towards wolf hunting. Meanwhile, only 59% view wolves as a threat to livestock. Given Brandenburg's significant wolf population, it's likely that the region faces similar concerns and discussions.
European Regulations on Wolf Protections
The European Union responded to the escalating wolf numbers by loosening the transmission of wildlife diseases, necessitating more adaptable management strategies. In early May, the European Parliament voted to downgrade the protection status of wolves from "strictly protected" to "protected."
This revision was supported by conservative, centrist, and socialist groups, but it received opposition from green and left-wing representatives. The EU maintains that the relaxation of regulations is not a license to kill but a flexible measure for local exemptions while ensuring that wolves remain a protected species. However, critics argue that this revision lacks scientific support and is merely driven by fear rather than solid evidence.
In light of the European Parliament's recent decision to downgrade the protection status of wolves, a move that could pave the way for more aggressive wolf hunting, discussions have arisen about the labelling of foodstuffs derived from hunted wolves, as this change could potentially affect the health-and-wellness of consumers, not just in Germany but across Member States of the EU. The scientific community, particularly those specializing in environmental-science and health-and-wellness, are urging for careful consideration and thorough research to ensure the safety and well-being of both humans and the environment amidst climate-change, a factor that could be significantly impacted by the increase in wolf predation and subsequent hunting quotas.
