The European Commission is considering weakening protections for grey wolves under the Bern Convention, a move that could allow more wolves to be killed, according to a BBC report. The proposal aims to move wolves from Annex II (strictly protected) to Annex III (protected) of the Bern Convention.
The Bern Convention, officially known as the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, focuses on safeguarding wild animals, plants, and their natural habitats.
Rebounding from near extinction in the mid-20th century, wolves returned to Europe due to conservation efforts and EU policies. Europe’s wolf population has grown to over 19,000 since. The European Commission reports that the wolf population in the EU has nearly doubled, rising from approximately 11,000 in 2012 to over 20,000 currently.
This resurgence, however, is causing conflict between farmers and environmentalists. Farmers are worried about wolf attacks on their livestock. They say that current protective measures, like electric fences and guard dogs, are not enough to prevent livestock losses, despite receiving financial compensation.
However, environmentalists oppose this proposal, arguing that wolves play a key role in the ecosystem. They argue that these animals help control deer and wild boar populations, which can harm trees and crops. Wolves also play a role in preventing disease by preying on sick animals. They believe better protection methods, such as trained sheepdogs, are more effective than reducing wolf safeguards.
Conservationists also cite a 2023 EU report showing that wolves kill only about 50,000 out of 68 million sheep and goats annually in Europe—just 0.065% of the total. Additionally, it notes that there have been no fatal wolf attacks on humans in the past 40 years. The report concludes that wolves have a minimal overall impact on EU livestock.