The Commission published their new guidance document on the strict protection of animal species under the Habitats Directive 12 October. The main aim is to help EU Member States improve the implementation of the Directive on the ground. The document was prepared in close cooperation with Member States and stakeholders and builds on their practical experience and knowledge developed over the last 15 years of implementation. It includes the latest Court of Justice rulings, thus helping to ensure coherent application of the nature protection rules across the European Union.

Annex III of the guidance deals specifically with the wolf. It describes why the wolf is a specific case (rapid expansion of a potentially conflictual species), the measures available to member states for management and financing and the cases in which derogations to strict protection are acceptable. The text is illustrated with examples of practices from different member states. For more information, including an explanatory video, see the Commission website.