Cabinet fast-tracks shooting of problem wolves this summer

Local councils will be able to authorise the shooting of “problem wolves” from mid-July, after agricultural state secretary Silvio Erkens (VVD) decided to push through new rules before MPs have debated them.

Permits to kill a wolf can be issued if the animal attacks or injures people, behaves aggressively, or attacks livestock or horses in a stall or behind fencing twice within two weeks. It will also become easier to drive wolves away using paintball guns, lights and noise.

Parliament is not due to debate the measure until after the summer break, but Erkens said waiting any longer would not be responsible. He said he wants to do everything within his powers to prevent dangerous situations, particularly with the cub season and summer recreation season approaching.

MPs had earlier asked the cabinet for a “legally sound” wolf management strategy, after a stricter plan drawn up by Erkens’ predecessor Jean Rummenie (BBB) was heavily criticised by the Council of State. Utrecht province licensed hunters to shoot a “problem wolf” named Bram in December, but the killing later turned out to have broken the rules because the animal was shot in the dark.

The Netherlands is now home to an estimated 14 wolf packs, and the animals’ return remains divisive. Farmers’ organisation LTO has called for wolves to be shot to control numbers, while a study published last month found one in seven Dutch wolves has been illegally killed by poachers.

The wolf’s protected status was downgraded at EU level last year, giving member states more scope to allow shooting.