Bavaria's wolf shooting rules do not go far enough
The federal and state governments have agreed on some simpler options for shooting wolves - but the new regulations still do not go far enough for Bavaria. "The resolutions of the Conference of Environment Ministers can only be a first step. Further legal changes are necessary. The federal government and the EU have a role to play here," said Bavaria's head of department Thorsten Glauber (Free Voters) in Munich on Friday. Specifically, the Free State of Bavaria continues to demand a new legal basis that allows shooting regardless of possible kills based purely on the number of animals in a region.
Specifically, the resolution of the Conference of Environment Ministers (UMK) for the rapid shooting of wolves requires that they have killed livestock despite existing herd protection measures such as fences. In addition, the federal states are to be able to define certain regions with an increased number of wolf killings, in which a DNA analysis does not have to be awaited before shooting.
The Bund Naturschutz in Bavaria stated that the UMK's decision was practical and justifiable. "For us, the decisive factor is that herd protection was practiced," state head Richard Mergner told the German Press Agency. If Glauber now demanded even more far-reaching regulations, this was "unworthy of an environment minister who is supposed to be committed to solving problems".
Glauber, who did not personally attend the conference in Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, declared: "We will keep up the pressure on the wolf issue." He once again called on the federal government to "finally implement the Habitats Directive in full". "This will clear the way for regionally differentiated population management. It is also necessary to lobby the EU to lower the protection status of the wolf. The current situation is unsatisfactory." Livestock farmers and farmers had also called for more far-reaching measures.
During the vote in Münster, Bavaria agreed to the proposals presented by Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) back in October, contrary to what the reaction would suggest. In a statement for the minutes, however, Bavaria declared that the regulations did not go far enough and that it considered a fundamental change in the law to be necessary.
The Chairman of the UMK, North Rhine-Westphalia's Environment Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens), however, emphasized: "We have achieved a breakthrough." Herd protection is crucial for the least possible conflict between livestock farming and wolf populations. "However, we also need a more practical and legally secure approach throughout Germany to remove individual wolves that are displaying unusual behavior." Lemke also explained that the new rules are compatible with EU law. The approach to problematic wolves is also a sign of reconciliation in order to pacify the social conflict.
At the upcoming science conferences, discussions about sustainable wildlife management in agricultural areas might include the wolf situation in Bavaria. The new environmental policies, which allow for wolf shooting in certain regions with high wolf killings, could potentially impact local animal populations and the environment.
Source: www.dpa.com
