The Bern Convention, which ensures the protection of wildlife mainly in Europe, today approved the reduction of the protection status of the wolf, which will be changed from a “strictly protected” to a “protected” species.

The 49 member states, which met in Strasbourg, approved a proposal in this direction by the European Union, which seeks to better protect herds of livestock in a context of increasing wolf populations, the Council of the European Union said in a statement. Europe.

“The amendment will enter into force within three months, unless opposed by at least one third of the parties to the Berne Convention (17),” the Council of Europe clarified.

“If at least one-third of the parties object, the decision will enter into force exclusively for the parties that have not raised objections,” he added.

The wolf population has practically doubled in Europe within 10 years to reach 20,300 individuals in 2023.

Although ranchers had called for the decision, which will allow wolves to be killed more easily, animal welfare groups have warned that it poses a risk to the species.

The Berne Convention consists of the 46 member states of the Council of Europe, with the exception of San Marino, as well as four African states: Burkina Faso, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia. The European Union is also a party to the convention.