Wolves and other large predators are today strictly protected according to the international Bern Convention – which aims to preserve wild animals and protect endangered species.
The proposal comes after an analysis of the wolf population within the EU and an increased number of wolf attacks on livestock, writes The European Commission in a press release.
Wanted after wolf attacks
The issue of protective hunting of wolves has become relevant in Kalmar county during the autumn since a wolf carried out a large number of attacks on domestic livestock.
The county administrative board in Kalmar made a historic decision on protective hunting, but had to withdraw it after it was appealed and the administrative court chose to overturn the decision.
SVT Nyheter Småland has previously told about Center politicians in Kalmar county who wooed their EU parliamentarians with the demand for relief in the protection of the wolf.
Criticism from WWF
But the proposal from the European Commission is also criticized by the WWF, which believes that it lacks a scientific basis and sabotages the EU’s role in achieving global goals for biodiversity.
– It is unacceptable. The wolf is used as a symbol to achieve political goals where city and countryside are pointed out as opposite poles. We do not accept decisions that have no basis in research and science, says WWF Secretary General Gustaf Lind in a press release.