The "I'm Not Afraid of the Wolf" Association joins 75 other European organizations in calling on the 27 European Union member states to reject the downgrading of the wolf in national legislation and maintain its strict protection status.
The vote that will be cast by each Member State represents a crucial opportunity to defend science, biodiversity, and the coherence of European conservation policies, against a highly politicized and science-free review process promoted by the European Commission leadership.
The downgrading proposal is currently being examined by the Court of Justice of the European Union: amending national legislation now would be hasty and irresponsible. We remind you that, even if approved at the European level, the amendment is not binding: Member States will have until January 2027 to decide whether to implement or reject it. We hope that the Italian government will choose the path of responsibility and protection, firmly rejecting the downgrading.
In Italy, wolves are still the victim of widespread and brutal persecution: shootings, traps, and poisons are unfortunately the order of the day. A downgrading of the law risks being interpreted as a green light for violence, in a context already plagued by serious poaching, often tolerated or ignored.
Furthermore, Article 9 of the Italian Constitution commits the Republic to protecting the environment, biodiversity, and ecosystems, "also in the interest of future generations." This is a founding principle, requiring every political decision-maker to respond not only to the present, but also to the future. Protecting wolves is not a favor bestowed upon nature, but a constitutional and moral duty.
Wolf conservation is an environmental, cultural, and scientific issue, not an election slogan. It's time to demonstrate this with clear and concrete decisions.