The debate over the wolf’s protection status divides society: while farmers and mountain pasture operators call for its regulation, conservationists see the wolf as a valuable asset. In an interview with krone.tv journalist Stefana Madjarov, Minister of Agriculture Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) explains: “For Europe, this means that predators can be hunted and regulated in the Member States.”
“Two years ago, as Prime Minister, I initiated the issue at EU level. And today we have reached another crucial milestone,” Totschnig explains. “For Europe, this means that the legal basis in Europe can now be adapted so that predators can be hunted, regulated and managed in Member States.”
Although there are only about 100 wolves in Austria, Totschnig sees the need for stricter regulations. “The current regulations were necessary to implement the current legal status,” the minister explains. But in view of the growing wolf population, he warns: “We have seen wolf growth rates of 30% per year. The stock markets in Europe have recovered. We have over 20,000 people.”
Increasing conflicts with cattle cracks
Totschnig gives concrete examples to underline the urgency of regulation: “We have more and more cracks, we have more and more wolf sightings. We heard this case only recently, in Mödling, at the gates of Vienna. Sheep tearing in Mödling, that is, in the urban area. We heard about the case where a young athlete suddenly encountered a wolf while jogging in the Mühlviertel in Upper Austria.”
The minister emphasizes that it is not just about regulating predators, but about protecting the population and farm animals: “It is about protecting the population. It’s about protecting farm animals, it’s about sensible regulation, it’s about policy and not ideology.”
For him it is clear: “For me that means regulating the wolf population. Only in this way can we achieve something very important, namely that the wolf retains its natural fear of humans and animals.”
Watch the entire interview in the video above!
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
