Germany's parliament has approved a bill that would allow the hunting of wolves, in response to their rapidly growing population and increasing attacks on livestock. The law, voted in the lower house of parliament, aims to create a new balance between nature protection and the interests of farmers.
In the past three decades, wolves have made a comeback and increased significantly in Germany, sparking intense political and social debate. The issue often pits representatives of the left against those of the right, as well as urban areas in the west against the more rural regions of the east of the country, where wolves are more concentrated.
The bill was supported by the center-right governing coalition and the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party. According to CDU MP Hermann Färber, the suffering of farm animals killed by wolves can no longer be ignored.
The law stipulates that 16 German states can allow wolf hunting from July to October in areas where their numbers are high. According to official statistics, about 4,300 farm animals were killed or injured by wolves in 2024. Environmental organizations oppose the law and demand stronger protection measures for the herds, such as fences and guard dogs. The law must also be approved by the upper house of parliament.