German state leaders urge EU to allow shooting wolves in some areas

The leaders of Germany's 16 states called on the European Union to ease protections for wolves and allow regions to pursue different policies in managing the wild animals, reported dpa.

Rules should allow wolves to be shot in areas with large wolf populations, according to Stephan Weil, the premier of the German state of Lower Saxony and chairman of the Conference of Minister Presidents (MPK).

On Wednesday evening, farmers demonstrated in Brussels in favour of relaxing the protected status of the wolf.

"The wolf is definitely no longer threatened with extinction," said Simon Darscheid of the North Rhine Westphalia Sheep Breeders' Association. Despite pasture fences and herding dogs, Darscheid said wolves have continued to kill his sheep.

"The wolf must be downgraded from the very highest protection level in EU species protection law," said Udo Hemmerling, an official with the German Farmers' Association.