The release of the new wolf plan a week ago did not satisfy sheep farmers in the Alpes-Maritimes region, who are among the most affected at the territorial level by the harmful presence of wolves (Canis lupus).
For them, caught between defending their herds from wolf attacks and the difficult coexistence with hikers who cross their lands and complain about the aggressiveness of guard dogs, they have had enough.
Aware that the strategy of “at the same time” doesn’t always work miracles, the government has dispatched its “missi dominici” in the person of Prefect Stรฉphane Bouillon, the national coordinator of the wolf plan, for a meeting with industry stakeholders, headed by Jean-Michel Dessus, the president of the Chamber of Agriculture.
Declared objective: to better inform and especially engage in education, by creating a direct relationship with those involved.
Mission accomplished: the farmers acknowledged that the State representative was “listening.” But will this be enough to calm the passions of protesters?
As for the implementation of the plan, squaring the circle between European regulations that impose the protection of this animal species (which safeguards against wild boars), the hyper-active animal rights associations always ready to assert high principles, and the sheep farmers protecting their interests, is not easy.
For Prefect Bouillon, the solution lies in “cohabitation,” but how to find the right balance between the protection of livestock and wolves? And how to adapt to specific situations?
For the farmers’ representatives, the solution is in the removal in tense areas, which the animal rights associations reject, for whom every wolf is as sacred as the infant Jesus.
Before heading back, Prefect Bouillon promised to monitor the situation’s evolution and, if needed, to make the decisions within his power or to relay specific cases to the government.
This indication has not really reassured the sheep farmers, who are counting on the lobbying of local politicians, always ready to exploit this for personal propaganda, to bring their arguments to the government and push it to take more drastic decisions.
Watch out for the outcry at the first episode of wolves attacking a herd!
