One might think that now that the EU Commission has finally agreed to relax the strict protection of wolves, even the fiercest wolf opponents should pause a little. Not even close. “Thousands of grazing animals have fallen victim to wolves in Germany this year alone,” said Deputy Prime Minister, Hunting Minister and Free Voters leader Hubert Aiwanger once again. “The federal government must take advantage of the tailwind from Europe and finally make it possible to hunt wolves.” Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU), otherwise not very fond of Aiwanger, is calling for “genuine population regulation regardless of damage,” which probably means that the state government finally wants to be able to release wolves for shooting whenever and wherever it deems appropriate.
The headlines about the EU Commission’s new wolf policy initially sounded in the spirit of Aiwanger, Kaniber and all the other politicians who have been fighting for many years to make it easier to kill the predators. “Is it going to the wolf?” was the title of the otherwise sober dpa in its report on the EU Commission’s new line.
But things are not that simple. Because the EU Commission’s change of course is not enough. In order for their change of heart to become law, at least 15 of the 27 EU states would have to agree to it as a first step. At the same time, these 15 EU states must represent at least 65 percent of the EU population. If this decision is positive, a second step will follow with equally high hurdles. Because then the EU would have to change the Bern Convention. This is an international treaty for the protection of wild plants and animals in Europe and their habitats from 1979. Its sponsor is an association of 46 European states in the Council of Europe, plus four African states and the EU. Only if there is a majority there for easing wolf protection can the EU downgrade it.
Leaving aside completely whether the Council of Europe and the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention ultimately accept the EU Commission’s new wolf course, one thing is already certain: it will take time. They asked the Bavarian Farmers’ Association. The last request on record for the relaxation of the strict wolf protection in the Bern Convention dates from 2018. Its originator was Switzerland. It was decided this year. By the way, negative. That and the long procedure may explain why Aiwanger and Kaniber don’t have a Christmas peace when it comes to the wolf.