Totschnig calls for revision of EU regulations on wolves

Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) has called for a revision of the EU regulation on wolves. The Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH) offers the possibility of “removing” problem wolves, but there are problems in the “enforcement of these exceptional stocks”, Totschnig criticized on the sidelines of a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels . The scope of enforcement is “defined too narrowly” in the EU regulation.

The proof that a wolf is actually a “problem wolf” is “extremely difficult”, explained the ÖVP politician. In addition, there is no way to “remove” wolves preventively, but cracks caused by the wolf in question must be proven. In Austria, the implementation of the EU directive lies with the federal states. Complaints can be lodged against shooting decisions – as is currently the case in Tyrol – and thus also stopped.

Around 30 wolves in Austria

Totschnig also calls for Europe-wide monitoring “so that we know how large the population actually is”. This should enable EU-wide stock regulation, which already exists in individual EU countries such as France and Sweden.

According to the “Austrian Center Bear, Wolf, Luchs”, 31 wolf individuals were detected in this country this year – and the trend is rising. According to this, a total of 489 sheep and goats and one cow were killed this year. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, there were around 680 cracks of livestock in 2021 and around 330 cracks in 2020. In Europe, the number of wolves is estimated at 17,000.

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