BRUSSELS – The Council of the European Union (EU) has approved a reduction in the protection status of wolves, allowing for the possibility of hunting the species again. However, Portugal has declared that it will retain the classification of wolves as strictly protected.
This approval by the Member States marks the final step in the process, with the new status (moving from strictly protected to protected) set to take effect 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
According to the Council’s statement, the revised protection status will provide Member States with greater flexibility in managing wolf populations. Nevertheless, EU countries must still ensure a favorable conservation status for wolves, permitting them to classify the species as strictly protected under national legislation and implement stricter protective measures.
Portugal, Belgium, Poland, and the Czech Republic have already affirmed their intention to keep the wolf’s status as strictly protected. The push for the classification change was initiated by the European Commission, which has faced criticism from environmental organizations that allege it has capitulated to the demands of farmers and hunters, prompting a request for the annulment of the decision from the EU Court of Justice. (05/06/25)
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