A new wolf plan for the period 2024-2029 was presented this Monday, September 18 by the prefecture of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. If the plan was revealed during a closed meeting, the broad outlines are known and, obviously, they do not satisfy any of the parties.
5 mins
The government unveiled this Monday, September 18, in Lyon, the broad outlines of its “wolf plan” 2024-2029. A set of measures intended to ensure better protection of herds, but including new provisions considered alarming by defenders of the predator, classified as an endangered species.
The text, intended to replace a previous plan expiring at the end of the year, was presented by the prefecture of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region to the members of the National Wolf Group (GNL): representatives of the agricultural world, elected officials , hunters, administrations and nature protection associations.
The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, is a new step in this complex and politically sensitive matter. The announcement of the plan had also been postponed several times. Various members of the GNL had, however, anticipated this weekend that, certain important arbitrations having not yet been rendered, this Monday’s announcements would rather be ” directions » only firm decisions.
A clear trend: seeing the wolf as a danger again
If the plan is not completely finalized, the underlying trend is nevertheless clear. The new program “ concludes that the wolf is no longer in danger of extinction, but that on the other hand, there is a real danger of the disappearance of pastoralism “, a government source explained to AFP. The plan ” aims to establish a new balance “.
The Minister of Agriculture, Marc Fesneau, also set the tone on Tuesday during a visit to a livestock exhibition: “ We are facing a lupine population that is exponential in its growth. We should be able to congratulate ourselves on having saved the species in terms of biodiversity, after all. But there comes a point when the threshold is so high that it is no longer compatible with livestock activities and in particular pastoral activities. “.
Read alsoThe European Commission launches a consultation on the protection of wolves
A plan that satisfies no one…
The new plan currently being developed provides for a simplification of shooting protocols intended to kill wolves attacking herds. A re-examination of the status of the wolf, from “strictly protected species” to “protected species”, which will have to be carried out at European level, is also planned according to the government source. Other areas: review the modalities for counting wolves to avoid “ distrust “, but also better compensate and support breeders who are victims of attacks.
But for the breeders’ camp, the measures are far from sufficient. “ The State tries to keep things simple and only creates dissatisfied people », Declared to AFP Claude Font, secretary general of the National Sheep Federation (FNO), in charge of the predation file. “ We expected something more ambitious in favor of breeding “, he underlined, estimating that “ the only progress concerns the shooting protocols “. For its part, the Peasant Confederation denounces a text of “ extreme weakness which will not fail to be experienced as a new affront by breeders “.
…and especially not the nature defense associations
For the six nature defense associations involved in LNG, the government is on the wrong track. “ We have announced our definitive withdrawal from the National Wolf Group », scathed to AFP Jean-David Abel, representative of France Nature Environnement (FNE). “ We commented on the plan axis by axis and at the end, we said why it was unacceptable and we left », he added, also speaking on behalf of the five other environmental defense associations present: Ferus, Humanity and Diversity, the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), the Protection Association of Wild Animals (Aspas) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The resumption of “ narrative of certain trade union organizations on a proliferation of wolves and an endangerment of pastoralism », lamented Mr. Abel. However, except in Spain and Italy, the species is not “ nowhere in good state of conservation » in Europe, he said. As for the question of the status of the wolf, according to him it is only a “ sea serpent » testifying to “ ignorance » from his supporters.
“ This consultative body no longer makes any sense. It is not new that the State listens to the FNSEA, the FNO, the chambers of agriculture, but at this level of imbalance, we said to ourselves “we are of no use”, so the State must take responsibility for this », concluded Jean-David Abel.
After having disappeared for a time in France, the wolf reappeared at the beginning of the 1990s. Its ranks then gradually swelled, to the great dismay of breeders who deplored more than 12,000 animals attacked in 2022. The number of canis lupus roaming the territory was revised upwards at the beginning of September to 1,104 individuals compared to just over 900 previously, according to an estimate established by the French Biodiversity Office (OFB). This increase also means that up to 209 wolves can be killed in France this year, i.e. the authorized 19% quota.
Read alsoUrsula von der Leyen warns of ‘real danger’ from wolf packs in EU
(With AFP)