In a resolution passed by 306 votes in favour, 225 against, and 25 abstentions, MEPs argue that the number of several strictly protected species of large carnivores has been increasing in the European Union, arguing that farmers and herds need to be protected.

The resolution highlights the negative impact of wolf attacks on livestock, stressing the need to find the right balance between the coexistence of humans, livestock, and large carnivores.

Considering that, particularly in wolves, the species' conservation status already justifies the mitigation of protective measures, MEPs also ask the European Commission and Member States "to scientifically identify the best viable preventive measures to reduce attacks".

The environmental organization WWF reacted to the adoption of this resolution, stressing that the EP is in “direct contradiction with the scientific data that shows that, despite the recovery of many populations”, the large predators continue to be threatened by poaching and the degradation and fragmentation of their habitats.

The approach of wolves to residential areas - and attacks on ponies - have been reported, for example, in the German region of Lower Saxony, where even the pony of the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's family did not escape an attack in September.