Sweden to "temporarily" halt licensed wolf hunting

Aug 17, 2011, 16:13 GMT

Stockholm - Sweden is to halt licensed wolf hunting this winter as part of efforts to avert a potential lawsuit from the European Commission, two cabinet members said Wednesday.

The 'temporary halt' was to 'ensure that Sweden does not lose the right to decide on its own wolf population,' Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren told a news conference.

Along with Agriculture Minister Eskil Erlandsson, Carlgren said Sweden hoped to avoid 'a lengthy court case' with the move.

Sweden's wolf hunting has generated controversy and earlier this year, the European Commission urged the Scandinavian country to amend its policy or face a potential lawsuit and a referal to the EU Court of Justice.

Sweden has held two licensed wolf hunts - in 2010 and 2011. This year's ended with 19 out of the quota of 20 wolves shot.

The European Commission says it has concerns about the hunting of a 'strictly protected and endangered species.' It was also worried about wolf inbreeding.

Carlgren said while licensed hunting would not be held this winter, the government would allow wolves that posed a threat to livestock to be shot.

Sweden was also to set up a national committee to review policies on wolves.

The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, which has protested against wolf hunting, welcomed the government's announcement but said it needed to study its proposals in more detail.

The environment minister said allowing licensed wolf hunting was necessary in order to secure public support for a viable wolf population in Sweden among groups like hunters, reindeer herders and farmers.

A delegation from the European Commission had recently visited Sweden and been shown areas where local people are affected by wolves, Carlgren said.

There are currently believed to be around 200 wolves in the Scandinavian country of 9 million people.