Farmers express disdain towards predators that prey on sheep herds

In the picturesque landscapes of Brandenburg, Germany, a contentious issue has arisen: the growing wolf population and the impact on local farmers.

According to Christiane Schröder from Nabu, the nature conservation organisation, the estimated number of wolves in Brandenburg ranges between 600 and 700. This significant presence has led to concerns among shepherds like Jonas Scholz, chairman of the Sheep Breeding Association Berlin-Brandenburg, who has lost a third of his sheep herd to wolf attacks.

Knut Kucznik, another shepherd, has not experienced a wolf attack but employs specially trained dogs to deter wolves and protect his herd. Despite these precautions, Kucznik reported that he could not claim a 1,920 euro annual subsidy from EU funds last year due to the lack of a budget.

The rise in wolf numbers has led to a divisive debate among political figures. Agriculture State Secretary Gregor Beyer, who previously headed the nature experience center Blumberger Mühle operated by Nabu, has advocated for quota hunting, arguing that Brandenburg has a larger wolf population than Norway, which has strict population limits. However, Minister Mittelstädt and her State Secretary have differing views on this matter.

In contrast, Carsten Preuß, state chairman of the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), believes that quota hunting would not work but fences and guard dogs would be more effective. Scholz and Kucznik share this view, advocating for funding for protective fences and guard dogs instead of reducing the wolf population.

The news agency dpa reported that Minister Mittelstädt had asked Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) to dismiss State Secretary Beyer due to their differing views on the wolf issue. However, there is no official confirmation of Beyer's imminent dismissal yet.

Andreas Fritsche criticizes the lack of a genuine dialogue about herd protection and the planned cuts to nature conservation. Andreas Kutsche (BSW) assured that politics should mediate between different positions regarding the wolf issue, emphasizing the need for reliable population figures.

The estimated current wolf population in Brandenburg is proposed to be capped at around 1,600 according to agricultural officials' suggestions in 2024, with actual population numbers not explicitly given but Brandenburg recognized as the region with the highest wolf population in Germany.

EU guidelines suggest a subsidy of 1,200 euros per kilometer of protective fence. The implementation of such measures could potentially alleviate the tension between wolves and farmers, ensuring the safety of both species in Brandenburg's beautiful wilderness.