Directive (EU) 2025/1237 (Canis lupus)

What it is

PURPOSE: to align the protection status of the wolf under the Habitats Directive for all EU Member States to the amended status under the Bern Convention. PROPOSED ACT: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: under the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora) the wolf (Canis lupus) is currently listed as a strictly protected species in most of the EU territory. The European Parliament adopted, by 371 votes to 162, with 37 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 92/43/EEC as regards the protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus). Parliament supported at first reading the Commission's proposal to amend the Habitats Directive to align the European protection status of the wolf with the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, changing it from ‘strictly protected’ to ‘protected’ . Notwithstanding the amendment introduced by this Directive, Member States remain free to maintain the protection status of the wolf at the level of protection granted to strictly protected fauna species.

Official title: Directive (EU) 2025/1237 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2025 amending Council Directive 92/43/EEC as regards the protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus)