Science, Not Fairy Tales

The European Commission has just proposed to reduce the protection status of wolves under the Habitats Directive. 

In response, the environmental spokesperson for the Green Group in the European Parliament, Jutta Paulus, states: 

“This should finally put an end to Ms. von der Leyen’s personal vendetta for her pony Dolly. It goes against fact-based politics for the Commission to propose lowering the protection status of the wolf without sufficient scientific evidence. This decision also harms the economic interests of forest owners, without solving the problems of livestock farmers. 

Already, forestry is complaining that high populations of roe, red, fallow, and mouflon deer are causing significant damage to vegetation. A reduction in wolf populations would further worsen the economic situation of forest owners. 

It is important to consider the interests of all parties involved. To help calm the debate, it would be much more sensible to offer livestock farmers more support in case of wolf attacks and in the installation and maintenance of electric fences.”