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War for wolves: Agriculture Minister Mittelstädt separates from State Secretary!
Brandenburg's Agriculture Minister Mittelstädt is calling for State Secretary Beyer to be fired because of differences over the treatment of wolves.
War for wolves: Agriculture Minister Mittelstädt separates from State Secretary!
The debate about how to deal with wolves in Brandenburg is currently showing clear cracks in the Ministry of Agriculture. Agriculture Minister Hanka Mittelstädt has expressed her wish to separate from her State Secretary Gregor Beyer. The reason for this measure is the different opinions regarding wolf policy, which came to light particularly with regard to the recently controversially discussed shooting quota. The rbb24 reports that Mittelstädt has asked Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke to fire Beyer and the final decision is still pending.
It's not just internal differences that are an issue, sheep farmers and conservationists in the country also have clear views. The Berlin-Brandenburg sheep breeding association emphasizes that a shooting quota for wolves is not necessary. Its chairman Jonas Scholz describes attacks by wolves on sheep herds as “terrorist attacks”, but also makes it clear that wolves would be more likely to hunt game if the flock was adequately protected. This fits with the statements of Carsten Preuß, the state chairman of the BUND, who calls for the selective shooting of problem wolves in exceptional cases, but criticizes the implementation of existing regulations as being too lengthy. n-tv highlights that sheep farmers are calling for support for herd protection instead of a blanket shooting quota.
The true appeal of herd protection
However, herd protection measures are expensive. Fences and livestock protection dogs require not only time, but also money. Since September, the Ministry of Agriculture has been discussing intensively how to deal with wolves in a wolf plenum in which several associations are represented. Loud lfu.brandenburg.de Livestock owners had to take special protective measures to protect their animals from attacks by wolves. An information brochure entitled “Living with Wolves” is geared towards the needs of livestock farmers and contains valuable tips on herd protection measures as well as information on possible funding.
However, there is a big catch: Due to a lack of budgetary foundations, the federal government has not provided any money for this herd protection, which makes life even more difficult for farmers. Reference is also made to existing European framework conditions, which, however, cannot be implemented in practice.
The discussion about wolves and humans in Brandenburg is a complex and multifaceted topic. And while time for a solution is running out, it remains to be seen whether the minister can push through her plan. If wolves continue to grow in the population, the pressure on decision-makers to find a clear and sustainable approach to dealing with these animals could also increase.