Minister Wilmes, stick to your word: Luxembourg continues to provide the highest protection for wolves!

This week, decisive meetings are taking place at the EU level regarding the wolf’s protection status. Some countries want to achieve a reduction of this, i.e. de facto allow the wolf to be shot. So far, Luxembourg has always defended the wolf’s highest protection status – but now, out of the blue and scientifically unfathomable, Luxembourg’s position has begun to falter.

Minister Wilmes: Stick to Your Word!

Protect the Wolf – Preserve Biodiversity!

Crucial meeting at the EU level on Wednesday (or possibly Thursday) this week – every country’s vote counts: Luxembourg must continue to be among the countries that oppose the shooting of wolves!

At the EU level, there is an initiative from various countries aiming to reduce the protection status of the wolf (from “strictly protected” to “protected”), essentially allowing the wolf to be hunted. Every vote counts, as there is currently a very slim majority of countries opposed to the wolf culling.

The Luxembourg government, as well as the Minister for the Environment, Serge Wilmes, have always defended, like the previous government, the highest level of protection for wolves within the EU. But now, out of the blue and scientifically unfounded, Luxembourg’s position has started to waver.

As Agriculture Minister Martine Hansen indicated, Luxembourg plans to support the European Commission’s proposal to reduce the protection status of the wolf under the Bern Convention. The first decision will be made on Wednesday during the meeting of the European ambassadors. If a majority votes in favor, the final decision is expected to be made on Thursday during the “Conseil Compétition.”

What has caused this change of heart? Why move away from the group of countries with a conservation and scientifically grounded position?

Luxembourg is well-prepared for the return of the wolf, thanks to the national action plan and the awareness efforts of the nature conservation administration[1]. Moreover, there are no interest groups in Luxembourg that have requested a change in position.

Furthermore, there is currently no scientific basis justifying an EU-wide change in the existing legislation. It has been proven that shooting wolves does not reduce attacks on livestock. Wolves feed on more than 92% of wild ungulates such as deer, wild boar, and red deer. Livestock, on the other hand, makes up less than 1% of a wolf’s diet. A study commissioned by the European Commission itself also clearly demonstrates this.

The protection and decades of effort have led to a remarkable comeback of wolves in Europe’s landscapes. However, their populations are not yet in a stable conservation state. Reducing their protection would once again endanger the species, undo the work (and financial investments) made, and undermine the EU’s legal obligation to maintain stable and viable wolf populations – an absolute taboo in times of biodiversity crisis.

The protection of wolves in Europe goes beyond the protection of a single species: it is about preserving biodiversity and promoting a balanced coexistence with nature. Wolves play a crucial role in the stability of ecosystems, particularly for the protection of natural, climate-resilient forests.

The argument for the change in position, which claims solidarity with other EU member states that, in their opinion, cannot adequately manage their wolf populations and do not wish to impose regulations, is not a defensible position for Luxembourg. The EU must be an alliance of values beyond economic and financial matters (where the government, by the way, has no difficulty asserting its stance).

The Mouvement Écologique and natur & ëmwelt a.s.b.l. expect the government to clearly state in its vote on the wolf that the EU is an alliance of values, pursuing a coherent, scientifically justified strategy on biodiversity. Luxembourg should show solidarity with those countries advocating for the protection of the wolf.

Additionally, it is surprising that the Agriculture Minister was the first government member to speak out yesterday, rather than Environment Minister Serge Wilmes, who is supposed to act as the guardian of environmental and nature conservation within the government…!?

The politically motivated proposal from the European Commission also carries the significant risk of setting a precedent for other species and opening the door to further changes in EU conservation law (e.g., otters or brown bears). Such a step would call into question the EU’s credibility regarding biodiversity.

How can the governments of wealthy Northern Hemisphere countries expect countries in Africa and Asia to protect their biodiversity with species like tigers, lions, or elephants if we are already questioning the coexistence of humans and wolves? It should be clear to everyone that the challenge and existential threat of living alongside elephants in densely populated Asia is far greater than that faced by European farmers.

For this reason, the Mouvement Écologique and natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l. urgently appeal to the government and Minister Serge Wilmes to maintain Luxembourg’s current position, which is based on scientific grounds, and remain aligned with the countries that support the conservation of wolves.

The EU must intensify efforts to promote coexistence and maintain strong protection for wolves! This is also being called for across Europe by more than 300 civil society organizations, including Mouvement Écologique and natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., in a joint statement issued on September 19, 2024[2]:

• Promote coexistence: Strengthen preventive measures like fences and shepherd dogs, and make them more accessible to farmers.
• Enforce protection: Ensure that illegal wolf hunting is stopped and that the EU Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH) is respected.
• Raise awareness: Provide scientifically based education on the ecological and socio-economic benefits of wolves.
• Respect scientific evidence: Any changes to wolf protection must be based on strict data, not political pressure.

This will send a clear signal that the EU takes its national and international obligations to protect and restore biodiversity seriously!

Contact:

Blanche Weber, Mouvement Ecologique: 621 282 139
Roby Biwer, natur&ëmwelt :  621 378 529

[1] http://environnement.public.lu/dam-assets/documents/natur/biodiversite/reseau-zones-protegees/especes_proteges/animaux/loup/anf-bt5-d-aktions-und-managemenplan-fuer-den-umgang-mit-woelfen-in-luxemburg.pdf

[2] https://eeb.org/library/joint-statement-by-300-civil-society-organisations-calling-for-strict-wolf-protection-to-be-maintained/

24.09.24