Roughly translated by TWIN Observer
SWEDEN
Several nature protection associations deem that wolf hunting in Sweden will be referred to the European Court of Justice. But the Swedish government claims that the predator policy is not contrary to EU rules.
The European Commission argues that the licensed hunting of wolves contrary to the EU Directive. The Commission is worried about the species’ future in Sweden. During the hunt in 2015, 44 of 415 wolves shot.
The Nature Conservation Society, which in 2010 reported the Swedish licensed hunting to the European Commission, believes legal action is warranted.
“The most likely scenario is that the Commission now draws the Swedish Government before the European Court of Justice. It is its duty when countries do not follow the directives,” Johanna Sandahl, Chairman of the Society for Nature Conservation, previously said to TT.
Even the World Wildlife Fund estimates that the Swedish wolf policy will be decided in the European Court of Justice. The organization wants the Swedish government looks to obtain a figure, based on solid science, on how big a viable wolf populations should be.
“It is also the European Commission says. The Commission says in plain language that Sweden will not continue with the licensed hunting in winter. It becomes very difficult for the Commission not to proceed to the European Court of Justice,” says Peter Westman, Conservation Director at WWF.
Increasing numbers of wolves
According to the Swedish Government, the Swedish predator policy complies with EU rules. The Swedish Government points out that the Swedish wolf population has become 65 percent larger since 2011.
At the same time the government wants to investigate how many animals the population needs consist of in order to survive and what damage the animals cause by attacking domestic animals and pets. The government would also review alternative to licensed hunting, but has not ruled out that there will be hunting again this year.
“We take the European Union legal obligations seriously. We are prepared for an in-depth dialogue with the Commission,” says Gunvor G Ericson (MP), Minister of State at the Department of the Environment.
“The number far too high”
The Swedish Hunters Association thinks it is good that the government stands up for its predator policy. Meanwhile, the association thinks that it is unfortunate that the government is open to review of the level of the population. The organization would prefer the strain should not be greater than 150 animals.
“The number of wolves is far too high. When analyzing the wolves were shot last winter no degeneration was apparent. We believe that the wolf population is robust and can now survive, we have a good margin for not getting a population crash,” says Björn Sprängare, chairman of the Swedish Hunters Association.