The Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has drafted a decree establishing wolf hunting quotas for the upcoming hunting season. This proposal permits the culling of up to one hundred wolves outside reindeer herding areas. Officials base these measures on population management recommendations from the Finnish Wildlife Agency. Finland's Natural Resources Institute estimates the current wolf population at 557 individuals as of November. The ministry submitted the draft regulation for consultation on Thursday, advancing a contentious wildlife management policy.
Sixteen specific regions will receive hunting allocations under the new framework. Safety concerns drive hunting permissions in eight areas, while other regions cite livestock protection and population control. The Pahkavaara region receives a five-wolf quota primarily for forest reindeer protection. Vuosanka gets six permits for similar reasons. Nivala's four-animal allocation addresses close kinship within local wolf packs.
Kaskinen-Närpiö region leads with eight permits targeting problem males and damage prevention. Peurainneva and Lauhanvuori each receive six-wolf quotas combining damage control and forest reindeer protection. Eurajoki and Rekikoski also get six permits each, citing security and livestock protection. Köyliö's three permits focus exclusively on safety, while Humppila receives eight permits for security and damage prevention.
Coastal Kustavi gets seven permits for safety and damage control. Aura-Paimio region receives the second-highest allocation with thirteen permits. Kytäjä's two permits address male wolves and security concerns. Nurmijärvi's six permits focus on safety, while Tohmajärvi-Kitee gets four permits for damage and security. Southeastern Finland rounds out the list with ten permits targeting male wolves specifically.
This proposal reflects ongoing tension between conservation efforts and rural community concerns. Wolf populations have steadily recovered in Finland since near-extinction decades ago. The government balances EU habitat directives with legitimate safety worries in affected municipalities. Previous hunting quotas faced legal challenges from conservation groups, creating regulatory uncertainty. Ministry officials emphasize these measures follow scientific population management principles.
Implementation requires parliamentary approval of hunting law amendments by year's end. The government must also adopt corresponding decrees from the Ministry and Council of State. This regulatory timeline creates pressure for legislative action before the hunting season begins. Rural MPs generally support the proposal while urban and green politicians express reservations. The outcome will test Finland's commitment to both biodiversity and rural community protection.
International observers monitor this decision closely given Finland's EU membership. The European Commission previously criticized similar wildlife management actions in other member states. Finland argues its approach aligns with sustainable management principles under EU directives. The consultation period allows stakeholders to influence the final decree before adoption. This process demonstrates Finland's careful navigation between domestic pressures and international obligations.