Overview
- The cabinet finalized the change on Monday that puts an AMVB into effect allowing provinces and municipalities to draft and hold ready permits to act quickly against designated 'problem wolves'.
- A 'problem wolf' is defined as one that attacks people, shows aggressive behaviour, or twice in two weeks attacks livestock or horses, and those criteria can trigger a shooting permit.
- The rules expand scaring options by allowing provinces to approve use of paintball or rubber‑bullet devices and permitting private actors such as farmers to use lights and loud noises without a licence.
- Many provinces and the Interprovincial Consultation (IPO) welcomed the faster tools and some are preparing standard permits, while animal‑protection groups have announced plans to sue and the Utrecht 'Bram' shooting incident has intensified scrutiny of enforcement.
- Experts warn the measures are not a long‑term fix and call for stronger prevention—better fencing, guardian dogs and compensation schemes—while ministers consider cross‑border coordination with Germany and a parliamentary debate is set for September.