The European Parliament on Thursday voted to downgrade the protection status of wolves under the EU Habitats Directive.
The decision changes their classification from “strictly protected” to “protected.” This gives EU countries more flexibility to manage growing wolf populations. Governments will be allowed to kill the animals in certain cases.
The vote passed with 371 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in favor, 162 against, and 37 abstaining. Supporters of the move, such as MEP Herbert Dorfmann, argue that the change is necessary to address rising conflicts between wolves and farmers.
Small population compared to humans
Europe’s wolf population has grown in recent years, reaching over 20,000 animals in 2023. In contrast, the human population in the European Union reached more than 449 million that same year.
While the number of wolves remains small compared to the human population, some politicians argue that livestock attacks are rising and that farmers need more tools to protect their animals.
Those farm animals, however, are bred and raised to be killed for human consumption. The debate raises questions about whose interests are prioritized in EU policymaking and how decisions about wildlife are influenced by economic concerns rather than ecological balance.
Environmental organizations and many MEPs criticized the decision, saying it ignores scientific evidence and undermines long-term conservation efforts.
“Downgrading wolf protection is a political move disguised as policy – it ignores science, fuels division, and jeopardizes one of Europe’s greatest conservation successes,” a coalition of animal and environmental organizations consisting of WWF EU, BirdLife Europe, ClientEarth, and the European Environmental Bureau, said.
“At a time when we must boost Europe’s nature – our best ally against the climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises – some decision makers are wasting time and energy to wage wars against our fragile species and ecosystems. European leaders must fulfill their duty to the public by defending nature, not sacrificing it for political gains,” they added.
Critics slam procedure
Critics also warned that the fast-tracked vote bypassed normal democratic procedures.
Gabriela Kubíková, Policy Advisor at the European Institute for Animal Law & Policy, questioned the speed and motives behind the decision:
“The European Commission claims that one of the reasons the revision of EU farm animal welfare laws takes so long is because EU policymakers must ensure all interests are represented equally in decision-making processes, which also need to be informed by the best available science.”
“By contrast, the amending process to allow the killing of wolves took place in a matter of months, and in violation of constitutional rules that precisely aim at guaranteeing the democratic and science-based nature of policy decisions. Why the double standard?” she said
She added: “The reality is that the Commission presents itself as a staunch defender of the rule of law in Europe—and even globally—yet shows far less concern when it comes to altering laws affecting animals and nature in deeply undemocratic ways.”
The EU Council must formally approve the amendment, but that step is expected to be only procedural. Once the change is published in the EU’s Official Journal, countries will have 18 months to implement the new rules.
