European Habitats Directive: EU’s Wolf Protection Rollback

In a significant policy shift, the European Commission has proposed amending the Habitats Directive to downgrade the protection status of the wolf from “strictly protected” under Annex IV to “protected” under Annex V. This proposal follows the recent decision in December 2024 to downgrade the wolf under the Bern Convention, which weakened wolf protections internationally – while the EU’s proposed Habitats Directive amendment would apply within EU law specifically.

The Habitats Directive, established in 1992, serves as a cornerstone of the EU’s nature conservation policy, aiming to promote the maintenance of biodiversity by requiring Member States to take measures to maintain or restore natural habitats and species at a favourable conservation status. Wolves, once nearly eradicated in many parts of Europe, have made a notable comeback under these protections, with current estimates suggesting a population of approximately 21,000 individuals across the continent.

The proposed amendment is intended to provide Member States with increased flexibility in managing wolf populations, particularly in addressing conflicts arising from livestock predation. For reference, a paper by the European Commission in 2023 found that on a large scale, the impact of wolves on livestock in the EU is “very small”, with, for example, the level of sheep depredation by wolves representing an annual killing of 0.065%.

Environmental organisations argue that weakening wolf protections lacks a solid scientific rational, poses a threat to biodiversity and could undermine decades of conservation efforts. In a joint statement with a coalition of NGOs, ERF grantee partners BirdLife Europe, ClientEarth, and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) cautioned: “Downgrading wolf protection is a misguided decision that prioritises political gains over science and will further polarise the debate. It offers no real help to rural communities, while it completely undermines the opportunity to continue investing in preventive measures to achieve coexistence.”

They argue that non-lethal measures, such as improved livestock management practices, the use of electric fencing, and compensation schemes for farmers, should be prioritised to facilitate coexistence between humans and wolves.

Additionally, rather than strengthening Europe’s commitment to nature, conservationists warn that the EU is reversing course on one of its greatest environmental successes:

“Instead of boosting Europe’s nature, our best ally against the climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises, the EU continues its U-turn on one of its most impressive conservation successes in decades.”

Beyond the immediate impact on wolves, conservationists caution that downgrading protections also sets a dangerous precedent for other species and could weaken broader conservation measures.

“The EU’s push against the wolf sets an extremely dangerous precedent for nature conservation policy, as it disregards the science-based approach and turns species protection into a political bargaining chip.”

The European Commission’s proposal must undergo approval by EU Member States and the European Parliament before it can be enacted. The outcome of this policy shift will have significant implications not only for the future of wolf conservation in Europe but also for the integrity of the EU’s broader biodiversity and environmental objectives.