Brandenburg Plans New Regulations for Wolf Culling

In response to growing public concern over the presence of wolves in Brandenburg, the regional government is preparing to implement new regulations aimed at reducing the wolf population. Hanka Mittelstädt, the Minister of Agriculture for Brandenburg, has indicated that the government is working towards a legal framework that would allow for the culling of wolves, which have been a source of unease for local residents and farmers.

Brandenburg is known as the primary habitat for wolves in Germany, and there have been increasing calls from agricultural and hunting communities to manage their numbers due to incidents involving livestock attacks and heightened anxiety among the populace. The European Commission has also proposed measures that would enable member states to adopt stricter policies regarding wolf protection, suggesting a shift from "very strict" to "strict" protection under EU regulations.

Mittelstädt emphasized the necessity of population control, stating that the current conservation status of wolves needs to be reassessed. The proposed amendment to the Fauna-Flora-Habitat (FFH) Directive would change the status of wolves from "strictly protected" to "protected." She expressed hope that a regulatory solution could be reached within the year while also indicating a parallel amendment to hunting laws to facilitate this process.

Discussions are ongoing regarding establishing a population threshold for wolves in Brandenburg, which would allow for hunting beyond a certain limit. However, Mittelstädt noted that not all areas are equally affected by wolf populations, suggesting that policies should be tailored to specific regions rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach across the state.

The Minister aims to streamline the process for culling wolves, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and allowing local hunting authorities, who are familiar with regional wildlife issues, to take charge of implementation. It is crucial, however, that not all hunters are permitted to hunt wolves, as specific training and qualifications would be required.

In light of recent incidents, including sightings of wolves near residential areas, concerns among residents have intensified. Video footage capturing two wolves circling a vehicle in Ostprignitz-Ruppin sparked significant discussion on social media. Previous reports of wolves attacking livestock in regions such as Cottbus have further exacerbated public fears.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, acknowledged the growing concerns regarding wolf populations in certain European regions, particularly their impact on livestock. Legislative changes proposed by the EU will require approval from the European Parliament and member states.

According to data from the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Brandenburg currently hosts the largest number of wolf packs in Germany, with 58 identified families as of the latest monitoring year. The state is followed by Lower Saxony and Saxony, which report 48 and 37 packs, respectively. However, estimates of the total wolf population vary, with the German Farmers' Association suggesting numbers between 1,800 to 3,300 wolves nationwide.