A CALL for SCIENTISTS: PLEASE TAKE ACTION FOR WOLVES by 30 NOVEMBER 2024.

Wolf future at risk:

Wolf future at risk: politics not science, behind Commission’s downgrade plan. Decision on the EU proposal due on 2 – 6 December 2024 at the Bern Convention

Brussels, 21 November 2024 – Environmental Association Green Impact, together with Great Lakes and Wetlands and others, denounced the lack of science-backing and breach of democratic process stemming from the European Commission’s proposal to weaken the legal protection of the European Grey wolf (Canis lupus).

The associations called on Mikaël Poutiers, the Secretary General of the Bern Convention (on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats), not to allow a vote at the forthcoming Standing Committee December meeting

Read the press release

Problem

The European Commission has presented at the EU Council a legislative Proposal to weaken the legal protection of the European Grey wolf (Canis lupus). Such a Proposal is not based on scientific evidence; however, it was adopted by most of the EU States, and it will be soon presented at the Bern Convention on the Conservation of Wildlife and Natural Habitats for possible delisting. Such a delisting, if adopted, will consequently delist the wolf in the EU relevant law (EU Habitat and Species Directive). Despite the efforts of European NGOs, the current European legal protection regime for wolves and the coexistence policies are now at stake. Two Scientific Statements, open for signatures to Scientists and Academics only, have been launched by a small group of experts in the field of conservation and environment – Green Impact has offered to host the initiative on its Website. The Statements will be sent to the Secretary General of the Bern Convention on 1^st December 2024. This is call to Scientists to help securing that EU wolves conservation policies would remain founded on science and not politics. The decision on the delisting will be taken at the beginning of December 2024 at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Bern Convention.

SIGN the Statements here by 30 November 2024

For Scientists and Academics only – (post – graduate studies; PhD – candidate; PhD, Prof.; experts in Research Institutes)

Statements of Scientists

Is the EU letting politics decide over science when it comes to conservation policy? We invite you to object to this decision.

By signing on two scientific Statements on Wolves, hundreds of Scientists are already urging the Secretary General of the Bern Convention not to allow a decision regarding the delisting of wolves at the forthcoming December 2024 meeting, since such a decision would not be based on science, due to the inherent lack of scientific evidence.

If the wolf is delisted at the Bern Convention’s December meeting, it will subsequently be delisted under EU law (Habitats and Species Directive). So far, scientists have shown tremendous support for the issues highlighted in defence of maintaining protection. Signatories are increasing by the day. We hope that more scientists will review these cases and if in agreement, sign urgently.

Please find below the text of two scientific Statements that you could consider signing – the Letters are addressed to the Secretary General of the Bern Convention and relevant Parties’ representatives.

SIGN the Statements here by 30 November 2024

For Scientists and Academics only – (post – graduate studies; PhD – candidate; PhD, Prof.; experts in Research Institutes)

We also highlight that Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe / IUCN SSN has issued a Statement advocating against the delisting of wolf, for lack of scientific evidence. READ the text: Download the PDF

Extract: ‘.. The current downlisting proposal, however, appears to be premature and faulty, for the reasons outlined above, and the LCIE does not recommend its adoption’.

Find out more

Want to check who has already signed the Statements?
2024.11_Wolves-Letter – Google Drive

If you are a Concerned CITIZEN: we invite you to sign on the AVAAZ petition on this issue:
Link here

Further information on this topic

Green Impact filed a formal complaint to the EU Ombudsman

In October 2024 Green Impact filed a formal complaint to the EU Ombudsman against the European Commission for abuse of power and false public statement in relation to the conservation status of European wolves. We are awaiting a response.

Client Earth has filed a complaint to the EU Ombudsman

Client Earth has filed a complaint to the EU Ombudsman on the Commission Proposal to delist wolf protection, the investigation has been formally launched: Find out more

Joint Statement by 300+ Civil Society Organisations

In September 2024, a Letter, promoted by EEB and other organizations and signed by +300 NGOs called for keeping the current wolf protection regime and promote coexistence: Find out more

Green Impact and other NGOs Letter to the Bern Convention

On 29 October 2024, Green Impact, European Bioeconomy Bureau (EBB), Nagytavak, Fertotobaratai published an Open Letter to the Secretary General of the Bern Convention:
Download the PDF

A CALL for SCIENTISTS: PLEASE TAKE ACTION FOR WOLVES by 30 NOVEMBER 2024.

Wolf future at risk: politics not science, behind Commission’s downgrade plan. Decision on the EU proposal due on 2 – 6 December 2024 at the Bern Convention

Green Impact filed a formal complaint to the EU Ombudsman

Client Earth has filed a complaint to the EU Ombudsman

Joint Statement by 300+ Civil Society Organisations

Green Impact and other NGOs Letter to the Bern Convention

Green Impact

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