The wolf has been the subject of heated debate for years. In Carinthia, Tyrol, Salzburg and Upper Austria there are already regulations for killing wolves. A recent ruling by the administrative court, which declared the Otter Ordinance 2019 illegal in Lower Austria, is now taking animal rights activists as an opportunity to question the wolf ordinances as well.
“This is a milestone for the crumbling protection of animal species in Austria,” said the WWF with joy. In its most recent judgment, the administrative court is said to have allowed an extraordinary appeal by the WWF and Ökobüro. It was about the Lower Austrian Otter Ordinance from 2019.
“When decisions are made about the shooting of highly protected animals such as otters, beavers or wolves, a recognized environmental organization should be given the opportunity to participate in the process and also have the right to review it,” it says. This was circumvented by the adoption of shooting regulations.
Isn’t it just otter regulation wobbling?
According to the WWF, the judgment also has far-reaching consequences for the numerous rules to kill strictly protected species. Because: “The Aarhus Convention makes it clear that environmental organizations should not only have the right to be involved in the removal procedures of strictly protected animal species, but also to have them examined for their compatibility with Union law. The right to complain has recently been undermined by regulations,” the animal welfare organization criticized.
However, politicians deny that this judgment can actually be applied to other regulations. In any case, sharp criticism can be heard from the office of the Carinthian hunting adviser and deputy governor Martin Gruber: “We have no knowledge of the otter regulation, but assume that the Carinthian wolf regulation is legally compliant!”, says press spokeswoman Barbara Wedenig.
Because the ordinance was not only legally checked by the state administration, but – like any ordinance – was sent for assessment. “Animal protection organizations also have the opportunity to submit a point of view!” In addition, the WWF cannot transfer its judgment to all other schemes. WWF spokesman Nikolai Moser made it clear to the APA that the ruling does not automatically override recently issued regulations.
Course change required
On the occasion of this decision, WWF Austria and the Ökobüro nevertheless demand a change of course from the state governments that currently allow the shooting of species protected under European law through regulations and have not even objected to environmental protection organizations in the first place.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
