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Amendment to hunting law: wolf to be included in hunting law

Without further debate, the state parliament in Kiel passed amendments to the state hunting law. These include regulations on the shooting of wolves. The Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation sees hardly any change.

,   and  ZEITUNG «AUSSIEDLERBOTE»
2 min read
A wolf stands in its enclosure in a wildlife park. Photo.aussiedlerbote.de
A wolf stands in its enclosure in a wildlife park. Photo.aussiedlerbote.de

Environment - Amendment to hunting law: wolf to be included in hunting law

The wolf has been included in the hunting law in Schleswig-Holstein. The necessary changes to the state hunting law were approved by the state parliament on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Agriculture in Kiel.

The amendment regulates the handling of seriously injured wolves, said Agriculture Minister Werner Schwarz (CDU). For animal welfare reasons, hunters would now be able to shoot an animal more quickly, as a permit under species protection law would be deemed to have been granted if the wolf could no longer flee due to its injuries.

However, this does not change the animal's protected status: "The inclusion of the wolf in the state hunting law is subject to a year-round closed season," said the Minister. The shooting of a wolf would therefore have to be examined on a case-by-case basis.

The changes to the law would therefore not relieve the burden on owners of livestock such as sheep or cows. However, the inclusion of wolves in hunting law will give hunters legal certainty.

FDP hunting politician Oliver Kumbartzky also welcomed the changes to the law: "The wolf has finally been included in hunting law. This is the first major step towards effective population management." The amended Hunting Act also contains a number of other regulations, such as on wolf hybrids, nutrias and group shooting plans.

Criticism came from the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), however, as the inclusion of wolves in hunting law does not prevent livestock from being killed. Furthermore, problematic animals could already be shot with a special permit.

"However, the focus must continue to be on unbureaucratically supported herd protection. Schleswig-Holstein's grassland users must be given even better support," emphasized Joachim Schulz from BUND Schleswig-Holstein. To this end, the existing wolf management in the state must be further strengthened.

Read also:

  1. The amendment to the hunting law in Schleswig-Holstein, approved by the state parliament, also includes regulations for wolf hybrids and nutrias.
  2. Werner Schwarz, the Agriculture Minister in Schleswig-Holstein from the CDU party, highlighted that the inclusion of wolves in the hunting law does not alter their protected status.
  3. Despite the inclusion of wolves in hunting law, the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) critiques the measure, stating that it does not prevent livestock from being harmed and stresses the need for better support for grassland users.
  4. According to Oliver Kumbartzky, the FDP's hunting politician, the amendment represents a significant step towards effective population management of wolves.
  5. The BMELV (Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture) in Germany stated that its primary concern is ensuring that farmers have legal certainty and protection for their livestock, as evidenced by the addition of wolves to the hunting law in Schleswig-Holstein.

Source: www.stern.de

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