Brussels/Strasbourg – The protection status of wolves has been officially downgraded from “strictly protected” to “protected” by the signatory states of the Bern Convention. This decision was announced by the Council of Europe’s press office in Strasbourg on Tuesday. The move to lower the protection level originated from the EU, which may further adjust wolf protections under the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive (FFH Directive). Austrian Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) expressed his approval of the change, which he had advocated for.
The voting details by individual countries have not been disclosed, but it is expected that the EU Commission, representing the 27 member states, supported the proposal. Switzerland, which had previously sought a downgrade in 2022 but faced opposition from the EU, also likely favored the change this time.
As the EU and its member states are participants in the international Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, shifting the status at the EU level required amending the convention’s protection standards. The change will take effect three months after the vote, during which time a third of the signatory states could potentially veto it, although this is considered unlikely due to the necessary two-thirds majority obtained for this decision.
The Austrian Ministry of Agriculture reported that 38 out of 50 Bern Convention member states voted in favor of the proposal. Following this, the EU Commission will be encouraged to revise the annexes of the FFH Directive. The downgraded status would allow EU countries greater flexibility in permitting wolf hunting, without completely removing protections, as the wolf population must remain secure, according to a statement from the Council of Europe.
Wolves’ increasing numbers have triggered conflicts
In December 2023, the EU Commission suggested lowering the wolves’ protection status from “strictly protected” to “protected.” The resurgence of wolves in areas where they had previously disappeared, coupled with population growth in new regions, has resulted in various challenges and tensions, prompting the Commission’s decision. Following the agreement among EU states in September, an amendment was submitted to the Bern Convention. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her satisfaction with the decision, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that safeguards both wildlife and human livelihoods.
Today’s decision is seen by Agriculture Minister Totschnig as a significant step towards easier regulations concerning the management of wolves, which he claims are no longer endangered and are increasing in number by up to 30 percent annually. He pointed out that the wolf issue extends beyond livestock attacks, noting that wolves are becoming less fearful of humans. Totschnig stated, “As political leaders, we must prevent wolf attacks, which is why I have long advocated for a change in the protection status.”
Tyrolean governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP) welcomed the change as a validation of Tyrol’s demands, emphasizing that the wolf is no longer endangered. He stressed that if the EU Commission modifies the FFH directive, the reduction will be officially confirmed.
Josef Moosbrugger, President of the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, remarked that today’s decision is crucial for the future of alpine and pasture farming, which faces more threats than the wolves roaming Europe. He stated that this decision reflects successful species protection in Austria and recognizes the growing wolf population across many European countries. Maximilian Mayr Melnhof, President of Hunting Austria, reiterated this sentiment, highlighting the rise of the wolf population.
Salzburg Deputy Governor Marlene Svazek (FPÖ) noted that the change is vital for balancing nature conservation with the interests of alpine farming and tourism. FPÖ EU Member of Parliament Roman Haider also endorsed the downgrading of the wolf’s protection status, asserting it would facilitate a more positive coexistence between humans, livestock, and wildlife.
Criticism from animal rights advocates
Animal rights advocates have condemned the decision, with Madeleine Petrovic, president of Animal Welfare Austria, calling it a setback for species conservation and indicative of a failure in democratic processes. She argued that scientific findings and public opinion, which largely favor maintaining the wolves’ strict protection status, were overlooked in favor of lobbying interests. Surveys indicated that 77 percent of respondents in the wolf report and 71 percent in the EU study supported retaining the existing protections.
WWF expert Christian Pichler criticized the ruling as a populist attack on species protection, arguing that a
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