Animal Action Greece’s Post

#BREAKING: the EU has just signed the death sentence for wolves. Our Wild Animals Programme Officer, Léa Badoz was present at the Council of Europe, where today the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention voted in favour of the European Commission's proposal to downgrade the protection status of wolves. Put simply, this means allowing more flexibility in the hunting of these magnificent animals that have just returned from the brink of extinction. We are heartbroken by this tragic news that not only threatens #wolves, but also our ecosystems, not to mention setting a dangerous precedent in conservation efforts across the #EU. We are extremely disappointed that once again policy makers have chosen to listen to misinformation and propaganda instead of science. And animals and the environment will pay the highest price. Why this decision? To protect farmers and their livestock. Will this decision actually be useful? No, the science is clear on this. Culling wolves will only increase the risk of attacks on farmed animals, as it will disrupt healthy packs. We are deeply saddened, but the fight is not over until the Habitats Directive is amended. So stay tuned for more information on how to act. Until then, please share this post and express your disappointment Read the full story: https://bit.ly/49kfG9C

Cows and Bulls kill far more Humans in Europe than Wolves (statistically wolves are responsible for zero Human deaths). 🐄 "According to a study published in the journal Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, there were 221 recorded cattle-related fatalities in Europe between 2000 and 2015. The majority of these fatalities were caused by bulls or cows defending their young or reacting to perceived threats from humans." 🐃 ⚠️ ZERO HUMAN DEATHS: "According to a report titled “Wolf attacks on humans: an update for 2002-2020” by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, the risks associated with a wolf attacking (not killing) a human are “above zero, BUT FAR TOO LOW TO CALCULATE.”" ⚠️ ❌️ Politically: This push was made hy the agrifood sector with the support of the conservatives (ECR), the liberals (Renew) and center right (EPP) and the far right (Patriots & ESN)! Against science, environment, culture and animal welfare. ❌️ Source: https://lnkd.in/dd9VTnkd.

A Step Forward for Rural Communities: New Flexibility in #Wolf Management The Council of Europe has recently backed a crucial proposal from the European Union to downgrade the protection status of wolves from "strictly protected" to "protected." This decision, supported by the EU and several other countries, marks a significant shift in how we can manage wolf populations across Europe. The new status will allow more #flexibility in managing wolf populations, which is vital for #landowners, farmers, and rural communities dealing with the growing challenges of wolf presence. The decision is a step closer to becoming law, though it still needs to be enacted into #EU law and incorporated into the Habitats Directive. This will involve ongoing discussions at the EU level to modify the wolf's legal status in certain regions. Since the #BernConvention entered into force in 1982, Europe’s wolf population has flourished, now exceeding 20,000 wolves across most member states. However, increasing numbers have also brought challenges, including the impact on livestock farming. As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, this is "important news for our rural #communities and #farmers," signalling a balanced approach between wildlife conservation and our livelihoods. While ELO is supporting the decision we will continue to stay engaged in the coexistence agenda and ensure that rural communities' concerns are addressed, using the EU platform for dialogue between people and large carnivores, alongside other tools to promote constructive dialogue. Photo credit: PBS Nature

We are deeply concerned about the recent decision by EU Member States to reduce the protection status of wolves under the Bern Convention. Reducing wolf protections at this stage, without solid scientific support, just to placate the farming and hunting lobbies, risks reversing the significant progress made in restoring Europe’s wolf populations. Wolves play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and promoting biodiversity across Europe. Despite their remarkable recovery, six out of nine wolf populations remain vulnerable or near threatened. Weakening their protection without solid scientific evidence jeopardizes conservation efforts and opens the door to further reduction of protections. 🔴 Key Facts: 👉 Wolves are essential to healthy ecosystems and are strictly protected under the Bern Convention and EU Habitats Directive. 👉 The EU wolf population is around 20,000, but their conservation status is still unfavorable in many regions. 👉 300,000+ people have signed a petition urging EU leaders to maintain wolf protections and focus on non-lethal solutions to prevent livestock losses. 👉68% of people living in rural areas, including 61% of sheep farmers, support the strict protection of large carnivores. We call on policymakers to prioritize coexistence over culling, using proven methods to protect farmed animals. Coexistence is the only sustainable path forward, benefiting both humans and wildlife. Read more: https://lnkd.in/enrFcK6i #HSIEurope #EUAnimalWelfare #AnimalProtection #ProtectWolves #Biodiversity #WolfConservation #WildlifeProtection

Have you heard about the Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness Act?    This act will help to curb the commercial wildlife trade and factory farming in order to prevent future pandemics. It will also help prevent animal suffering and biodiversity loss.    If you'd like to support the passing of this monumental bill, click here to urge your Member of Parliament to support this critical legislation! 📝 https://bit.ly/4bF9JVb

🚨 BREAKING: Bern Convention weakens wolf protection! Today, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention voted to lower the protection status of wolves, a decision widely criticised by conservation experts and environmental organisations. This decision, driven by the EU's push to weaken wolf protections, is a serious misstep, devoid of any solid scientific foundation.  By voting to weaken wolf protections under the Bern Convention, EU Member States ignored the pleas of over 300+ civil society organisations, the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe and hundreds of thousands of citizens urging science-based action to promote coexistence with large carnivores. Instead, they supported politically motivated decisions, which are seemingly influenced by personal reasons after Commission President Von der Leyen’s pony was killed by a wolf in 2022. The EU already allows for the responsible management of wolves, including culling if necessary. Yet, in December 2023, the European Commission proposed weakening wolf protection under the guise of livestock depredation, following a consultation process that ClientEarth says was flawed and is now being investigated by the EU Ombudsman. Downgrading these protections risks deepening social divides rather than fostering constructive solutions. Wolf populations have barely recovered after going extinct in most parts of Europe, and weakening their protection could jeopardise this fragile recovery. Instead of easing tensions, this decision could exacerbate polarisation and erode trust in efforts to manage wolf populations effectively. It is strongly recommended that the Bern Convention prioritise science-based decision-making to ensure its processes are guided by robust evidence rather than political agendas. To achieve this, the Convention should strengthen its mechanisms for sound governance, particularly with regard to updating the list of protected species. A transparent and science-based approach is essential to maintaining the Convention’s credibility and effectiveness. By establishing itself as a model of good governance, the Bern Convention can not only safeguard its own integrity but also inspire and reinforce the governance of EU conservation laws. #Wolf #Wolves #SavetheWolf #BernConvention

🌟WEDNESDAY WIN🌟 🛒 The UK government is planning to implement a law to ban products from supermarkets that have links with illegal deforestation abroad. But what does this mean for wildlife? Watch to find out why this law is an animal win! 🐾 Another way of looking at this law is that it may mean our government is taking a more proactive approach in emphasising a direct link between our diet, compassion and conservation. But while it targets big businesses, gaps exist for independent sellers, farmers, online markets, etc. How effective will this proposed law be in restricting goods sourced from the destruction of wildlife and nature? Share your thoughts below👇 Sources: (1)https://lnkd.in/eFjEMPQi. [Open Government License] (2)https://lnkd.in/eqntz_MH [Press Release] #animalwelfare #UK #VHWW #VerifyHumanity #CompassionateConservation #veganism

Check out our latest newsletter. https://conta.cc/4aVSsG9. This special issue also includes two inserts - one titled "Justice? Or Just Us? Equity in Fisheries: Balancing Conservation and Livelihoods in the Pacific Islands," and the other "Seeing Through the Haze: Understanding Tuna, Mercury and Health."

BEAUTIFUL BREAKING NEWS! EU Court of Justices rules against Wolf Culling! The EU Court of Justice has delivered a landmark ruling, affirming that economic reasons alone can't justify downgrading wolf protections. This decision effectively cancels Ursula von der Leyen's scientifically unsubstantiated proposal to lower the protection status of wolves in the EU. The court emphasized that any derogations must be based on clear, precise objectives and supported by scientific evidence. Conservation comes first, ensuring that the long-term survival and favorable conservation status of this iconic species are prioritized. The recent case before the European Court of Justice (ECJ) involved the Austrian region of Tyrol's decision to allow wolf hunting in 2022 due to increasing attacks on livestock. Environmental groups challenged this decision, arguing it violated the EU's Habitats Directive, which protects wolves as a strictly protected species. The case was referred to the ECJ by the Tyrolean Provincial Administrative Court for interpretation of EU law. The ECJ ruled that economic reasons alone, such as preventing livestock losses, are insufficient to justify exceptions to the ban on wolf hunting. ECJ has taken similar decisons against: Sweden: In 2010, the ECJ opened an infringement case (2010/4200) which led to the temporary halting of licensed wolf hunts. A second infringement case (2014/2178) was opened due to amendments in Swedish law that restricted environmental organizations' access to justice in court concerning hunting regulations. Finland: In 2019 (C-674/17 Tapiola), the ECJ ruled that environmental directives need to be respected. The new decision not only reinforces the protection of wolves but also upholds the integrity of EU conservation laws, setting a precedent for the protection of other endangered species. Read more: Euractiv https://lnkd.in/d7Rhw_uY ECJ's Decison: https://lnkd.in/dKWcs8a3 #WildlifeConservation #EUJustice #WolfProtection #NatureRestoration #EnvironmentalLaw

The European Commission wants to change the wolf's status from "strictly protected" to "protected", allowing so-called "defence" shooting. This proposal does not appear to be based on any scientific data. Indeed, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) indicates that six of the nine cross-border wolf populations in the EU are vulnerable or near-threatened! This proposal runs counter to public opinion, as underlined by a recent survey showing that over two-thirds (68%) of people living in rural areas believe that wolves should be strictly protected. Fondazione Capellino, owner of Almo Nature, has been working since 2019 in the Alps to promote peaceful coexistence between wolves and humans through the Life Wolf Alps EU project. The results of the project demonstrate that effective herd protection can significantly reduce or even eliminate attacks on livestock. Facilitating defensive shooting will not solve the problems faced by livestock farmers. We know that shooting wolves can have the opposite of the desired effect: killing a member of a breeding pair, for example, can cause the pack to split up, leaving the wolves alone, which often leads to more damage. With this proposal, the Commission is jeopardising the preservation of species and natural habitats as a whole, both inside and outside the EU. It is crucial that EU member countries oppose this, and effective measures are put in place to support shepherds. We must learn to coexist with wolves and wildlife in general, as this is essential for biodiversity. Discover more about the Life Wolf Alps project here: https://lnkd.in/epsWSfjz #almonature #fondazionecapellino #biodiversity #climatechange #profitstotheplanet #reintegrationeconomy #wolves #lifewolfalps #eu #habitat