Large predators

Lowering protection status: “Alpine farming instead of wolves”

(Bild: Klemens Groh)

The country's fight against large carnivores seems to be slowly bearing fruit. The lowering of the protection status is within reach. The risk of forest fires was also the subject of a meeting in Lower Austria.

The provincial governors met in St. Pölten on Wednesday, as Lower Austria currently holds the presidency. Numerous topics were discussed - such as lowering the protection status for wolves.

We will continue to do everything we can to safeguard traditional alpine pasture farming and our habitat and can count on the support of the other federal states. Now we must not let up the pressure.

LHAnton Mattle

Bild: Christof Birbaumer

"The pressure and arguments from Tyrol are having an effect, the EU is slowly giving in on the large carnivores and the EU Commission is considering lowering the protection status. With the amendment to the Tyrolean Hunting Act, we have laid the foundations for culling. We will continue to do everything we can to safeguard traditional alpine pasture farming and our habitat and can count on the support of the other federal provinces. Now we must not let up the pressure," Tyrolean Governor Anton Mattle reminds us of the EU elections on June 9, where it will be important to continue to have a strong Tyrolean representative in Brussels in Sophia Kircher.

Mattle holds minister accountable
The federal provinces have already called on Austria's representative in the Council to approve the Commission's proposal to lower the protection status in a unified statement. However, the LH Conference is also calling on the responsible Environment Minister to work consistently at European level to ensure that the protection status of the wolf species is lowered in line with the European Commission's proposal.

Forest fires also an issue
In view of the current risk of forest fires, the provincial governors also discussed the financing of necessary firefighting equipment. In 2020, a basis was created at federal level with the Forest Fund Act, which also serves to finance forest firefighting measures, among other things. However, the fund expires in 2027. Due to climate change, however, extreme weather conditions are becoming more frequent, which also increases the risk of forest fires throughout Austria.

We want to prepare ourselves for the increasing risk of forest fires and hold the federal government accountable for its responsibility under forestry law.

LH Anton Mattle

Bild: Christof Birbaumer

"We must ensure that the fire departments are equipped accordingly. The federal government's forest fund is exhausted due to the many challenges and must be increased and secured. We want to prepare ourselves for the increasing risk of forest fires and are calling on the federal government to fulfill its responsibilities under forestry law," emphasizes Mattle.