The surroundings or surroundings we find ourselves in. OR The natural world and how it interacts with human activities. OR The physical atmosphere in which we live, along with the impact of human behavior on this environment. - Environmentalists Slam Decision of Ministers to Hunt Wolves
The North Rhine-Westphalian branch of the German Environment and Nature Conservation Association (BUND) has expressed disapproval over the Environmental Ministers' Conference (UMK)'s decision to permit the killing of wolves. During their meeting in Bad Dürkheim, it was agreed to modify the BUND's regulation on prompt wolf culling in Lower Saxony, which had been previously halted by the courts.
"Anyone who advocates for shooting wolves must also put in place measures for cattle protection," stated BUND's state chairman Holger Sticht in a statement. He emphasized that the optimal approach to prevent cattle damage is through effective cattle protection. However, several states, including North Rhine-Westphalia, have failed to provide funds for fence upkeep or canine protection. The proposal to hunt down wolves is considered a "false solution" by cattle farmers as it won't result in a long-term reduction in damage. "The shooting order is merely symbolic politics, aimed at diverting attention away from inadequate cattle protection measures."
The Ministers' Conference had made the decision in late 2023 to implement a rapid-action culling regulation for regions with increased wolf populations. According to this regulation, a specific wolf could be shot without the mandatory DNA analysis in certain scenarios. This procedure was first applied in Lower Saxony, prompting the Higher Administrative Court in Lüneburg to rule against the shooting of a wolf in the Hannover region. In accordance with the UMK decision, a Central Practice Guideline for such shootings is set to be revised by August.
