EU Looses Wolfs Protection: Farmers are happy about new shooting regulations!

EU Looses Wolfs Protection: Farmers are happy about new shooting regulations!

The states of the European Union have agreed to a draft law that will lead to a downgrading of protection status for wolves. The decision was made on May 8, 2025 and lets the wolf down from "strictly protected" to "protected". This change is intended to give Member States more flexibility in the management of wolf populations, which is considered necessary, particularly in view of increasing conflicts between wolves and livestock farming. According to the focus is on improving the coexistence of man and wolf.

The decision has caused different reactions in public. Animal rights activists express concerns about the downgrading of the protection status. They warn of possible negative effects on the existing wolf population, which is still at risk in many regions of Europe. The Euronatur emphasizes that the effectiveness of wolves when hunting is hunting is extremely controversial and criticizes that the decision of emotions and misinformations is led.

On the other hand, the farmers' association describes this step as overdue in order to protect the pasture animals from the spread of the wolf. Farmers report on an increase in cracks in utilities and grazing animals, which massively affects grazing animals. According to the federal documentation and advice center of the wolf (DBBBW), there were damage to 5,727 animals in 2023, with sheep being particularly affected.

outlook and other measures

Germany now checks how this new status can be implemented in national law. It remains unclear when exactly the changes in the law will come into force. There is also the possibility that the quick committee regulation will remain in force. Even if the wolf is now classified as "protected", it remains to be seen what it looks like in practice. Keeping is not allowed in general, but only for wolves that are classified as problematic.

Finally, it should be noted that the future of wolf protection in Europe remains fragile. The hollowing out of protection status could be a dangerous precedent for nature conservation. Constructive measures, such as herd protection and fast compensation for killed farm animals, could help to protect the valuable balance between nature conservation and agricultural use.