EU Loosens Wolf Protections to Defend Livestock

If you're in the meat industry or work closely with livestock, you've probably heard rumblings about wolves causing problems for farmers across Europe. Well, the EU just made a big move that could change the game: starting March 7, 2025, wolves are no longer considered "strictly protected" under European law. Instead, they're now simply "protected," which gives countries more freedom to manage wolf populations—especially when they clash with farming.

So, What Changed?

Up until now, wolves in Europe were strictly protected under both the Bern Convention and the EU Habitats Directive. That meant hunting or removing wolves was basically off-limits unless they posed a direct and serious threat.

But as wolf numbers have increased—there were over 20,000 wolves in the EU in 2023—so have the conflicts. Attacks on livestock have surged. In fact, it's estimated that wolves kill over 65,000 farm animals every year in the EU.

Now, with their status downgraded to protected, wolves can still be hunted—but under stricter rules than non-protected animals. Each country must regulate hunting carefully and ensure that wolf populations don’t become endangered.

Why the Change?

This shift didn’t come out of nowhere. Here's the background:

Wolf populations are booming across Europe due to decades of protection and better habitat conditions.
With more wolves comes more livestock predation—especially in rural areas where grazing is widespread.
Farmers have been calling for action for years, saying compensation and prevention programs haven't kept pace with reality.

Even European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen supported the change, especially after her own pony was killed by a wolf in 2022. She emphasized the need to protect both biodiversity and rural livelihoods.

What It Means for the Meat & Livestock Industry

This change is a clear signal that the EU is starting to listen to rural voices. For meat professionals and livestock producers, here’s what to expect:

Easier Wolf Management: Countries can now approve targeted culls or hunts to prevent wolf attacks in high-risk areas.
More Local Flexibility: While the EU still expects conservation to be a priority, each Member State can decide how strictly to protect wolves.
Continued Funding: Preventive measures like guard dogs, fences, and shepherding support are still eligible for funding under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Compensation Stays: National aid for livestock lost to wolf attacks will still be available—up to 100% in many cases.

The Catch: Balance Still Required

The wolf is not open season. Countries are still required to monitor wolf populations, report data every six years, and ensure that wolves maintain a “favorable conservation status.” So don’t expect a drastic drop in wolf numbers overnight.

And, some conservation groups are pushing back hard. They argue this move is dangerous for biodiversity and sets a bad precedent for other protected species. So the debate is far from over.

Bottom Line

For farmers and meat producers, this new legal framework is a welcome step toward more practical, on-the-ground solutions. But it also means staying engaged—both to protect livestock and to help shape responsible local wolf management plans.

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