In Austria, hunting wolves is still prohibited. This is the ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Thursday in Luxembourg.
“A derogation from this prohibition to avoid economic damage can only be granted if the wolf population is in a favourable conservation status, which is not the case in Austria,” the Court of Justice said in its letter.
Animal welfare organizations filed a complaint after the Tyrolean state government decided in 2022 to release a wolf to be shot. The Tyrolean Administrative Court (LVwG) then asked the court to interpret EU law on the issue.
The judges in Luxembourg had to answer, among other things, the question whether it is contrary to the principle of equality that wolves are exempted from the strict protection regime of the Flora-Fauna-Habitat (FFH) Directive in some European countries, but not in Austria. No, is the answer: when Austria became a member of the European Union in 1995, Austria, unlike other countries, did not raise any objections to the high level of protection status for wolves.
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.
