The Minister of Environment, Housing and Land Planning, Juan Carlos-Suárez-Quiñones, has expressed his confidence that by 2025, the autonomous communities will regain management of the wolf. This statement comes after the autonomous communities lost such management following the inclusion of the species in the List of Wild Species in Special Protection Regime (Lespre) in 2021.
Suárez-Quiñones has highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Board and organizations like UPA to address environmental challenges, emphasizing the need to dialogue, negotiate, and take joint measures. Specifically, he mentioned the uncertainty surrounding the wolf and other environmental issues arising from the implementation of the European Nature Restoration Law.
The minister has emphasized the importance of basing decisions on concrete data, referring to the wolf censuses published by the autonomous communities that indicate an increase in populations and damage. In this regard, he urged the Government to reconsider its position and involve the autonomous communities in seeking solutions.
Additionally, within the framework of the UPA Regional Congress, Suárez-Quiñones mentioned the increase in attacks on livestock in Castilla y León, announcing the convening of agricultural organizations to present updated data. He also announced the introduction of an amendment to the Food Waste Law to request the declassification of the wolf in the Lespre.
The minister has called for differentiated management of the wolf north and south of the Duero, in anticipation of future European decisions supported by the Bern Convention. Suárez-Quiñones criticized the position of the central Government for its rapid implementation approach, contrasting it with the nuanced and progressive stance proposed by the Board to avoid potential difficulties in the field.
