EU Set to Close 15-Year Infringement Case on Swedish Wolf Policy After Protection Status Change

The European Commission is expected to close its longstanding infringement case against Sweden's wolf hunting policy, a formal process initiated in 2011. Over the past years, progress on the case has been minimal. However, a significant shift came this year when the wolf's protection status under the EU's Habitats Directive was downgraded from 'strictly protected' to simply 'protected'. This change has paved the way for the Commission to potentially end the old case.

Sweden's Rural Affairs Minister Peter Kullgren expressed optimism about this development upon arriving in Brussels, noting hope for a positive outcome. Despite this, the EU continues to scrutinize Sweden's wolf management strategies. The Commission has raised concerns over Sweden's decision to maintain a wolf population of 170, which is notably lower than the previously suggested 300 needed to achieve a 'favorable conservation status'. This difference has sparked appeals within Sweden regarding the forthcoming wolf hunt.

While the closure of the infringement proceedings seems imminent, ongoing criticism from EU officials regarding Sweden's wolf population management may persist. Minister Kullgren has indicated he would not discuss the wolf issue during his Brussels meetings.

The potential closure marks a major turning point in the prolonged conflict between Sweden and the EU over wildlife policy, reflecting how changes in legal protection status can impact enforcement actions.