Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001526/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Irene Montero (The Left)
The Spanish autonomous communities of Asturias and Cantabria have publicly announced plans to allow wolf hunting. Specifically, 53 individuals will be culled in Asturias and another 41 in Cantabria (between 15% and 20% of the estimated population). Galicia, for its part, has allowed wolf hunting since 14 April 2025.
This action – following on from the decision to remove the wolf from the Spanish List of Wild Species in the Special Protection Scheme (LESRPE) – runs counter to the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Case C-436/22. According to the latter, wolves cannot be declared as a huntable species at regional level if their conservation status at national level is unfavourable. Nor can it be designated as such where it is not afforded strict protection in the region concerned under the Habitats Directive, since any species management measures, including hunting, must in all cases aim to maintain those species at – or restore them to – a favourable conservation status.
In light of the above:
Does the European Commission consider the decision by Asturias, Galicia and Cantabria to allow the hunting of wolves to be in accordance with the law?
Submitted: 14.4.2025