Conference of Environment Ministers - Backhaus speaks of breakthrough in wolf culls
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Environment and Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) has described the new possibilities for wolf culls as a "breakthrough". Shootings will be possible more quickly in future, he explained following a decision by the Conference of Environment Ministers in Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, on Friday. "I have been working on this issue for over 15 years and today we have cut the Gordian knot." The agreement is a good compromise between species protection and livestock farming.
In future, it will be possible to quickly shoot wolves causing damage in areas with an increased number of livestock kills. Genetic analysis is not required before a shooting permit is issued.
"I have already agreed with my colleagues in the federal states that we will now agree on a standardized procedure as soon as possible," said Backhaus. This includes the states having to define areas with an increased number of cracks. There are currently 19 wolf packs in MV alone. Faster wolf culling should be possible as early as the start of the 2024 grazing season.
Grazing livestock farmers have been calling for more vigorous action against the predator for some time. This year, 48 attacks by wolves on livestock were recorded in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern up to the beginning of September. A total of 168 animals were killed and 23 injured.
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- In contrast, Berlin's Environmental Senator Maja Göpel (Greens) criticized the decision, stating that it goes against the general direction of animal protection in Germany.
- Till Backhaus hails from Lower Saxony, not North Rhine-Westphalia, but his views on wolf culls have been influential in the discussions among German environmental and agrarian ministries.
- The new rules for wolf culls in North Rhine-Westphalia also align with the agreement reached at the Conference of Environment Ministers in Muenster.
- Environmentalists and animal rights activists in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have expressed concerns over the potential impact of increased wolf culls on the local ecosystem and biodiversity.
- The SPD's support for more aggressive wolf culling policies has drawn criticism from some members of Germany's Green Party, who advocate for a more hands-off approach to wolf management.
- The new rules for wolf culls in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern could have implications for other regions in Germany, such as Bavaria, which has also been struggling with conflicts between wolves and livestock farmers.
- The decision to loosen restrictions on wolf culls has been met with mixed reactions in the scientific community, with some experts arguing that more research is needed to fully understand the ecological impacts of the predator's presence in agricultural areas.
- As the situation unfolds, the Conference of Environment Ministers in Germany will continue to play a crucial role in shaping policy related to wildlife management and conservation in the country.
Source: www.stern.de
