On Friday, the Bundesrat will debate various amendments proposed by the federal states regarding the possible inclusion of wolves in the Federal Hunting Act, which clearly criticize the federal government's approach and the draft bill it has presented. The German Animal Welfare Federation welcomes and underscores the points of criticism, but at the same time expresses disappointment: even the Federal Council is not questioning the principle of whether wolf hunting should be legalized at all. At the very least, the draft in its current unlawful form must now be prevented from becoming law. The populations still need comprehensive protection.
“The criticism from the states clearly shows that the BMLEH and the federal government have acted alone here,” says Thomas Schröder, president of the German Animal Welfare Federation. The motions criticize the fact that, “despite numerous requests,” the draft was not coordinated with the environmental and agricultural departments of the federal states and their practical experience. “This was not sloppiness,” said Schröder: “The coalition wants to fulfill its promise from the coalition agreement, and Minister Rainer wants to announce a supposed success with the agriculture and land use lobby as quickly as possible. The Bundesrat must now exert its influence and at least prevent hunting and killing methods that violate animal welfare!”
CRITICISM OF PROPOSED HUNTING SEASONS AND KILLING METHODS
In addition to criticizing the government's approach, the state committees explicitly point out that the draft bill leaves open essential questions for a legally secure, practical, and regionally differentiated approach to the protected animal. It remains questionable how the good conservation status required by species protection law can be achieved or maintained in the individual biogeographical regions. The German Animal Welfare Association also welcomes the fact that several states have clearly spoken out against the hunting seasons between July and October proposed in the draft. The federal government and the BMELH want to allow the targeted killing of wolf pups, which are usually born in early May. The trapping of wolves and the killing of wolves with shotguns are also viewed negatively.
BLANKET SHOOTING DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEMS
The return of wolves is a unique success story resulting from decades of conservation efforts. According to James Brückner, head of the wildlife department at the German Animal Welfare Federation, the fact that the blanket culling of this protected species is even being discussed is scandalous: “Wolf hunting is a false solution and does not contribute to the protection of grazing animals.”
