The recent decision by the German federal government to incorporate the wolf into hunting law has drawn sharp criticism from North Rhine-Westphalia’s Environment Minister, Oliver Krischer, who has labeled it a superficial gesture lacking substantive solutions. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” Krischer argued the move constitutes “symbol politics” asserting that previous attempts in other federal states to simplify wolf management through similar measures have yielded minimal practical effect.
Krischer expressed skepticism about the immediate impact of the legislation within North Rhine-Westphalia, emphasizing that the wolf remains a protected species, a status the change to hunting law does not alter. He warned that any attempt at uncontrolled culling would likely be immediately halted by legal challenges, rendering the new law largely symbolic.
The core of Krischer’s critique centers on the need for a legally sound mechanism to manage wolves causing significant damage. He stated the current draft legislation from Berlin fails to provide this, specifically pointing to the absence of clear, defined criteria for when a wolf can be legally removed due to the damage it inflicts. This lack of clarity, he argues, undermines the effectiveness of the legislation and risks further legal disputes.
While acknowledging that the vast majority of wolves pose no issues and should be allowed to continue their natural existence within the ecosystem, Krischer stressed the urgency of developing a pragmatic approach that balances conservation efforts with the concerns of communities experiencing demonstrable harm from wolf activity. He urged the federal government to prioritize the establishment of concrete and legally defensible guidelines regarding wolf removal, rather than resorting to procedural changes that offer little tangible benefit. The debate highlights a growing divergence in strategies for wolf management, pitting symbolic gestures against the demand for practical, legally robust solutions.