On May 8, 2025, the European Parliament voted with 371 in favor, 162 against, and 37 abstentions to downgrade the protection status of the wolf across the EU from “strictly protected” to “protected.” This change gives member states greater flexibility to remove problematic animals, provided that the species maintains a favorable conservation status. Support came primarily from agricultural sectors and conservative MEPs, while Greens, WWF, and other animal protection organizations warned of a setback for species conservation. After formal approval by the Council of Ministers, member states will have 18 months to transpose the change into national law.
Commenting on this, Anja Arndt, MEP of the ESN Group, stated:
“With this decision, Parliament is finally addressing the real challenges faced in our rural regions. We are giving member states a flexible tool to take the legitimate concerns of livestock farmers seriously, without demonizing the wolf across the board. The downgrading of the protection status is a welcome step, especially for farming operations and alpine pastoralism. At last, a path is being cleared to protect grazing animals, family-run farms, and tourism from increasing attacks.
Once again, the voting behavior of the Greens reveals their detachment from reality: ideological dogmas are being placed above the existential fears of people in rural areas.
Now Berlin must act immediately and use this new flexibility to grant uncomplicated shooting permits for problem wolves. The announced 18-month period must not be used as an excuse to delay action.”
