France Raises Wolf Culling Limit to 21 Percent of Population Under Pressure from Farmers

The French government has increased the maximum permissible level of wolf culling within the country. The new regulation, published on Wednesday, February 24 in the Official Journal, raises the limit from 19 to 21 percent of the entire estimated population of these predators. This decision, announced back in January, was made under strong pressure from agricultural organizations demanding more effective protection for livestock from attacks.

It is estimated that around one thousand wolves live in France, meaning the new limit allows for the culling of over 200 individuals in the upcoming season. Polish media emphasize that, for comparison, the wolf population in Poland is significantly larger, estimated at around 5 thousand animals. At the same time, Poland is experiencing increased wolf activity, with wolves appearing more frequently near residential buildings and on agricultural land, attacking livestock. Reports of alleged wolf attacks on humans, such as in Brzozów County, often find no confirmation in official sources.

Since the return of wolves to Western European territories at the end of the 20th century, after years of their near-total extermination, the conflict between protecting this species and the interests of farmers has been a constant element of environmental policy in many countries. In Poland, wolves have been under partial protection since 1998, and their population has significantly recovered in recent decades.The issued decree also relaxes other hunting regulations. For example, prior confirmation by specialists that a wolf posed a threat to a herd is no longer required, which simplifies the culling procedure. The French Ministry of Agriculture, headed by Annie Genevard, justifies the decision by citing the too frequent appearance of wolves on agricultural land and near cities, which generates growing losses and a sense of threat among local communities.

Changes in Wolf Culling Regulations in France: Maximum culling limit: 19% of population → 21% of population; Culling conditions: Threat confirmation required → Simplified procedures In Poland, the discussion on wolf population management is also gaining momentum due to reports of their activity. However, there are no official declarations about plans to increase culling limits following the French example. This situation highlights the ongoing dispute in many European countries between biodiversity conservation values and the real problems of farms. Farmers' unions are demanding more decisive action, while ecologists warn of the threat to recovering populations of protected predators.