IFAW opposes EU’s intention to lower the protection of wolf populations

(Brussels, 20 December 2023) – Today, the European Commission announced its intention to lower the level of protection of the wolf under the Bern Convention from “strictly protected” to “protected”. This proposal faces strong opposition from IFAW and other civil society organisations. 

“While the world is facing an unprecedented biodiversity crisis, the European Commission wants to add fuel to this fire by lowering protection for wolves. The wolf is part of Europe’s natural heritage, playing a vital role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems,” said Ilaria Di Silvestre, Head of EU Policy & Campaigns, IFAW. “The data available today do not justify this decision. Instead, this seems based on a non-transparent consultation process that was launched by the Commission on 4 September 2023,” Di Silvestre continued. 

IFAW and other NGOs had already addressed their concerns in a joint letter to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in September 2023. A few days ago, IFAW also joined almost 300 NGOs who signed an open letter calling on the Commission President to take the recommendations of civil society seriously: changing the protection status of the wolf – be it under EU law or under the Bern Convention - is not justified. “There are EU and national guidelines, good practices and tools to prevent and compensate for the economic damage caused by wolves,” explained Ilaria Di Silvestre. “The EU should support initiatives that provide the public with accurate, science-based information on wolves so that the interactions with this species are based on knowledge and tolerance.” 

IFAW takes the view that the EU’s commitment to protect wolves in Europe should be a commitment to coexist with wild animals and to protect our biodiversity. The return of the wolf to parts of Europe where the species was previously extinct is a considerable success for nature conservation, which must not be jeopardised by political pressure. IFAW calls on all EU Member States to strongly oppose the Commission’s plans to lower the level of protection for wolves under the Bern Convention. 

ENDS 

About the Bern Convention: 

The Bern Convention, ratified by all the Member States and the EU, aims at conserving wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats. The wolf is presently listed in Annex II of the Bern Convention as a strictly protected species which can only be regulated to “prevent serious damage” to livestock provided that there is “no other satisfactory solution” and that the measures will “not be detrimental to the survival of the population concerned.” 

Press Contact: 

Jürgen Noack 
Communications Consultant 
+32 (0)470 48 49 05 
jnoack.contractor@ifaw.org