Source: European Parliament
Under the Habitats Directive[1], w olf populations north of the river Duero[2] are currently listed in Annex V. According to Article 14 of the directive, Member States must take measures to ensure that the exploitation of species listed in Annex V is compatible with their being maintained at a favourable conservation status.
According to the information submitted by Spain in the latest report under Article 17 of the directive for the period 2013-2018, the wolf was in unfavourable conservation status in all three biogeographical regions of Spain[3]. A new report covering the period 2019-2024 is expected to be submitted by July 2025.
In Case C-436/22[4], the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that Article 14 of the directive precludes Spanish legislation which permitted the hunting of the wolf, since the species was listed in Annex V and the conservation status of that species is classified as ‘unfavourable poor’.
Additionally, the CJEU confirmed that if there remains uncertainty as to whether the exploitation of a species of Community interest is compatible with the maintenance of that species at a favourable conservation status, the Member State must refrain from authorising such exploitation.
The Commission awaits the up-to-date information on the conservation status of the wolf in Spain, as part of reporting obligations under the directive for the period 2019-2024.
In light of the prevention and precautionary principles, the competent authorities should ensure that decisions related to the hunting of wolf populations listed in Annex V are based on sound scientific evidence regarding the species conservation status .
- [1] Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.
- [2] Namely in Asturias, Cantabria and Galicia.
- [3] https://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/Converters/run_conversion?file=es/eu/art17/envxrm14a/ES_species_reports-20190723-144539.xml&conv=593&source=remote#1352 .
- [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:62022CJ0436.