An important opening
The European Commission no longer rejects the idea of a killing of wolves according to a management plan. This is what Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, confirmed to the South Tyrolean MEP Herbert Dorfmann, who is now asking for a wolf management plan to be launched as soon as possible "at a national level or only for the Alpine regions". During Tuesday's meeting of the European People's Party group with von de Leyen, Dorfmann raised the question of the management of wolves and criticized Brussels' hitherto stiff refusal to cull the dangerous animals of this species. “The President of the Commission replied that the attitude of the European Commission towards wolf management has changed radically,” reports Dorfmann. Von der Leyen explained that it is important to find a balance between the need to protect the species and biodiversity and the reasons of the agricultural world.
Removal Requests
Following this rethink, the European Commission's approach is now much more balanced. “The Commission will no longer oppose requests by member states to remove wolves,” explains Dorfmann. Von der Leyen cited Sweden's wolf management plan as an example, in which larger removals would be envisaged and which would suit the European Commission. “It is the first time that a member of the European Commission has spoken with such clarity on the culling of wolves. And this message is all the more important as it comes from the President of the Commission”, continues the South Tyrolean MEP.
National and regional plans
This new orientation must now be exploited, explains Dorfmann: "In this new context, pressure must be put on Italy to finally introduce a sensible management plan that also includes culling". For the South Tyrolean MEP, it is important to note that the European Commission has stated that it will take into account not only national plans, but also those that concern regional areas. According to Dorfmann there are now two possibilities: “Develop a state management plan or formulate one for the wolf population in the Alpine regions. And then it will be necessary to get this plan approved in Brussels as soon as possible, in order to finally be able to manage the question of wolves in a reasonable way".