Protection status of the wolf

Subject: Protection status of the wolf

The Commission proposed in December 2023 to change the protection status of the wolf under the Bern Convention1 and the EU Habitats Directive2, based on an analysis3 of its situation in the EU.

This analysis manipulates scientific results for political purposes. It cites a 2023 study4, stating: ‘There is a positive relationship between wolf distribution and the number of killed sheep at a European scale’. However, the study concludes the opposite, with data from Germany showing ‘a relationship between the number of wolf units and damages diminished over time’, suggesting adaptation by livestock owners and authorities, e.g. increased prevention. With wolf populations establishing in more regions, the relationship between wolves and damage incidents becomes more complex. A likely interpretation is that wolf presence leads to ‘more widespread adoption of protective measures’, reducing wolf-caused damage over time, or at least modulating the relationship.

1. How does the Commission justify basing its proposal on an analysis that misrepresents scientific findings, as seen in this instance?

2. Given the study suggests wolf damages decrease over time due to better protective measures, why has the Commission selectively highlighted only a correlation between wolf presence and livestock losses?

3. How can the Commission credibly criticise political interference in science while engaging in the same practice, manipulating scientific conclusions for policy decisions, much like US President Donald Trump?

Submitted: 2.4.2025

1 Council of Europe Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern

Convention), 1979.

2 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and

flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/43/2013-07-01. 3 European Commission: Directorate-General for Environment, N2K Group EEIG, Blanco, J. C. and Sundseth,

K., The situation of the wolf (canis lupus ) in the European union – An in-depth analysis, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2779/187513.

4 Singer, L., Wietlisbach, X., Hickisch, R., Schoell, E.M., Leuenberger, C. et al., ‘The spatial distribution and

temporal trends of livestock damages caused by wolves in Europe’, Biological Conservation, Vol. 282, June 2023, 110039, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110039.

Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission

(12 May 2025)

The ‘In-depth analysis of the situation of the wolf in the EU’ (5) is a report procured by the Commission and produced by independent international experts. The Commission does not share the view that the report misrepresents scientific findings.

The Commission has continuously underlined that irrespective of the legal protection status of the wolf, investment in co- existence remains essential (6). The in-depth analysis of the situation of the wolf in the EU has also confirmed the importance of implementing prevention measures tailored to the specific circumstances of each exploitation, as well as to ensure expert technical advice in early phases. In the proposal for reducing the protection status of the wolf under the Bern Convention (7), the Commission underlined that ‘in general, damage to livestock has increased as the wolf population has grown, which confirms the importance to invest in effective prevention measures’.

The Commission based its proposals to reduce the protection status of the wolf under the Bern Convention and under EU law on the best available scientific data on wolf populations in the EU and Europe, including an assessment of the threats and pressures on the species. The proposal concerning the Bern Convention was supported by both the Member States in Council and by Contracting Parties to the Bern Convention outside the EU.

1 ∙ ⸱ Council of Europe Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), 1979.

2 ∙ ⸱ Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7, ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/43/2013-07-01. 3 ∙ ⸱

European Commission: Directorate-General for Environment, N2K Group EEIG, Blanco, J. C. and Sundseth, K., The situation of the wolf (canis lupus ) in the European union — An in-depth analysis, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2779/187513. 4 ∙ ⸱ Singer, L., Wietlisbach, X., Hickisch, R., Schoell, E.M., Leuenberger, C. et al., ‘The spatial distribution and temporal trends of livestock damages caused by wolves in Europe’, Biological Conservation, Vol. 282, June 2023, 110039, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110039. 5 ∙ ⸱ https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/5d017e4e-9efc-11ee-b164-01aa75ed71a1/language-en. 6 ∙ ⸱ https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6752. 7 ∙ ⸱

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52023PC0799.