Caretaker junior nature minister Jean Rummenie (BBB) thinks he has found a loophole allowing him to cull the number of wolves in the Netherlands, he has said in an interview with the Telegraaf.

Rummenie said he fears that, in the wake of several incidents involving wolves, “a fatal confrontation is only a matter of time”.

According to Rummenie, the European Commission should regard the Netherlands as “a small country” instead of a “medium-sized” one. Small countries only have a so-called “best efforts obligation” instead of a more stringent duty to protect the wolf. Managing the wolf numbers would include culls, he said.

“Because we are now classified as ‘medium-sized, one third of the country’s landscape should be suitable for wolves. I have serious doubts about this,” he told the paper. “There are 170 wolves in the Netherlands, the highest wolf density in the world, and attacks are rising,” he said.

The Netherlands is home to 13 to 14 packs, but, monitor BIJ12 said, the total number of wolves is difficult to ascertain. According to research by Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands has a legal duty to be home to at least 23 packs to ensure their survival.

Problem wolf Bram, who attacked a six-year-old, leaving him with scratch and bite marks, was put on the hit list by Utrecht local council. DNA tests published on Friday have shown it was indeed Bram that was shot by hunters at the beginning of the month.