Source: European Parliament
The ‘In-depth analysis of the situation of the wolf in the EU’[1] 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[2]. 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[3], 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.