Disapproval of proposals - New regulation on wolf hunting displeases sheep farmers.
Sheep farmers' representatives expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcomes of the Environment Ministers' Conference (UMK) between the federal government and the states, held in Bad Dürkheim, Rhineland-Palatinate. During the meeting, they spoke about tackling wolf issues. The ministers decided that the regulation for a swift wolf cull after harm to sheep, temporarily stopped in court within Lower Saxony, needs to be amended by the Federal Government on a short-term basis. This initiative won't satisfy sheep farmers, the Association for the Advancement of German Sheep Breeding (FDS) stated on Friday night.
The Ministerial Conference concluded in late 2023 to implement a prompt shooting regulation in areas with increased wolf attacks. Under certain circumstances, no DNA analysis is necessary to determine a specific wolf. After that regulation was used for the first time in Lower Saxony, the Administrative Court in Lüneburg decided that shooting a wolf in the Hannover region is prohibited.
Specifically, the primary practice guide for these shootings must be revisited by August. The FDS considers these plans as entirely inadequate. They don't even meet the expectations of the professional community. "We're extremely disappointed and appalled by the result," referred to FDS Chair Wendelin Schmücker.
The FDS is advocating for a comprehensive reform of the Federal Nature Conservation Act and a practical, effective solution to regulate wolf numbers in Germany to preserve the future of the pastoral industry and the protection of indigenous animal species. "The emotional and physical suffering of sheep farmers and their animals is being disregarded, which won't be alleviated by this decision. The situation is dire, particularly given that attacks on livestock have skyrocketed in the last year."
The FDS demands that the wolf experiment cease immediately and be replaced with an offensive wolf regulation. "The pastoral industry in Germany has to be saved through an aggressive wolf regulation," Schmücker said.
"Countries like France, Sweden, and Finland use all the flexibility of European nature conservation law to launch a protective hunt to protect sheep. We should apply these principles in Germany too," Schmücker appealed.
