This Resolution by the Wolf Trust is a declaration calling on HM Government to implement European conventions.
| Web Address www.wolftrust.org.uk Email Address Wolf Trust |
On Wolf Conservation In The United Kingdom
To Her Majesty's Government
(c) Art Wolfe |
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Announcement
This Resolution by the Wolf Trust calls on HM Government as signatory to conventions, namely the Bern Convention of the Council of Europe and the Habitats Directive of the European Union, to promote public awareness about wolves and to consider the possibilities of reintroducing wolves to Britain.
Preamble
Considering that wolves (Canis lupus) are a fundamental part of British natural heritage for their symbolic, ethical, scientific, ecological, educational, cultural, recreational, aesthetic and intrinsic value;
Considering that wolves, like all other wildlife, have a right to exist in free, wild and viable populations;
Considering that prejudices and unfounded beliefs of people about wolves are for the most part based on ignorance and misunderstanding;
Considering that wolves were exterminated in Britain and are seriously threatened throughout western Europe and large areas of the world;
Considering that sometimes wolves conflict with human activities and that compromise between wolf and human activities is necessary;
Considering that wolf conservation must take into account numerous cultural, political, economic and ecological concerns, and the necessity to build good partnership with interested parties;
Considering that the extirpation of wolves is an unacceptable disruption of ecological balance and a wolf reintroduction is a serious step in restoring ecological integrity;
Considering that wolf conservation is a measure of the moral maturity of humanity to live in harmony with predators;
The Conventions
Having regard to the United Kingdom as signatory to the Council of Europe's 'Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats' (also called the Bern Convention), in particular its 'Recommendation N° 17 (1989) of the standing committee on the protection of the wolf (Canis lupus) in Europe' (also called Recommendation 17); and
Having regard to the United Kingdom as signatory to the European Union's 'Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora' (also called the Habitats Directive); this resolution affirms as follows.
Declaration
This Resolution by the Wolf Trust declares the following measures should be adopted by the government of the United Kingdom concerning the reintroduction of wolves to Britain.
1. Actively and efficaciously to implement the Bern Convention and the Habitats Directive.
2. In particular, under section A13 of Recommendation 17 of the Bern Convention:
"Consider the possibility of carrying out captive breeding and reintroduction programmes in areas where the species has been extinct or is endangered;"
3. In particular, under section H of Recommendation 17 of the Bern Convention:
"...to support actively the conservation of this species, particularly by promoting public awareness, encouraging research in its present distribution area, studying reintroduction possibilities, and collaborating with the states where wolves survive;"
4. In particular, under Article 22 of the Habitats Directive:
"...study the desirability of re-introducing species in Annex IV* that are native to their territory where this might contribute to their conservation..."
* Species in Annex IV are "in need of strict protection" and include the wolf.
Dated March 2002.
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