Wolf hunting at unfavourable conservation status in Finland and Sweden

Question for written answer E-004891/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE), Ville Niinistö (Verts/ALE)

With the amendment of the EU Habitats Directive, the protection status of the wolf was changed from Annex IV (strictly protected species) to Annex V (species subject to regulated hunting)[1].

According to the Commission's guidelines, a favourable reference population value should be established in line with the precautionary principle and using the best available scientific data. Furthermore, the amendment of the Habitats Directive does not remove the Member States' obligation to ensure favourable conservation status, carry out impact assessments or provide scientific evidence, nor does it remove judicial review or the right to appeal.

In Finland, an amendment to the Hunting Act is being prepared that is completely at odds with the above. The Finnish Council of Regulatory Impact Analysis has issued a statement[2] to the effect that the grounds for the Act were weak and that the effects of wolf hunting for population management purposes had not been adequately assessed on the basis of the research data. In addition, the reference value for wolves notified by Sweden does not meet the biological or legal criteria laid down in the Habitats Directive[3].

This situation poses a risk to both the uniform application of EU law and the protection of the wolf.

• 1.Is the Commission prepared to launch infringement proceedings against Member States if they allow wolf hunting for population management purposes while the conservation status of the species is unfavourable?
• 2.Can the Commission state publicly that the amendment of the Habitats Directive does not authorise politically motivated wolf hunting?

Submitted: 10.12.2025

• [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:01992L0043-20250714
• [2] https://valtioneuvosto.fi/-/arviointineuvosto-metsastyslaista-sudenmetsastyksen-vaikutukset-arvioimatta
• [3] https://www.brusselstimes.com/1814623/sweden-pays-to-reduce-the-wolf-population-amid-pending-eu-court-case