As many as 43 MEPs have written to Ursula Von der Leyer, asking that its protected status be lowered and that management be initiated.
The request is clear. Currently, the wolf is a strictly protected species, while the 43 MEPs are calling for its status to be upgraded to a protected species. Just a simple definition? No, downgrading its status would allow for targeted management programs to protect farmers and ranchers who, in certain areas, especially mountainous ones, suffer damage from its presence. The letters were sent not only to the President but also to Commissioners Virginijus Sinkevicius and Janusz Wojciechowski.
Among the signatories are Pietro Fiocchi and Marco Dreosto. The letter states that the current wolf protection measures are the result of decisions made many years ago and, given the changing social and environmental conditions, absolutely require revision.
According to Peter Fiocchi A conflict is emerging between mountain populations and wolves, with extreme situations where farmers are even refusing to report predation. It is therefore urgent to amend the current legislation.
Marco Dreosto agrees, pointing out that a significant number of farmers, if not supported, risk abandoning livestock farming in disadvantaged areas. This would have serious repercussions, both socioeconomically and for biodiversity, given the immense value of mitigating hydrogeological risks, which is largely due to the hard work of those who live and work at high altitudes.
