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Parliamentary question - E-001653/2018Parliamentary question
E-001653/2018

Finland's wolf hunting policy in Finnish Lapland

Question for written answer E-001653-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Merja Kyllönen (GUE/NGL)

In Finland, the grey wolf is classified as an endangered species. The most recent population estimate is 150‐180 individuals and it is showing signs of poor gene flow and high levels of poaching. In the reindeer‐herding area, the wolf comes under Annex V of the Habitats Directive, the provisions of which stipulate that listed species should be exploited in a sustainable manner compatible with maintaining them in a favourable conservation status.

Currently, non-lethal alternatives are not considered feasible in the context of free‐grazing animals, although they do exist e.g. for free‐grazing sheep (guardian dogs and fencing for the night). Persecution of the wolf in the reindeer‐herding area cannot be solved without alternative non‐lethal methods to protect semi‐domesticated reindeer from predators. The reindeer‐herding area comprises Finnish Lapland and the northern parts of the provinces of Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, covering 37% of land area in Finland in total. In order to connect the Fennoscandian wolf populations, it is necessary to move the reindeer‐herding border further north and create a safe corridor to secure an adequate gene flow between the wolf populations of Finland and Scandinavia.

What measures can the Commission take in order to bring influence to bear on Finland and the Scandinavian countries to move the reindeer‐herding border further north in the future?

Last updated: 23 April 2018
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