Court of Appeal rules in favor of the Norwegian state – the wolf hunt can continue

Wolves - wolfPhoto: Paul Kleiven / NTB

The animal welfare organizations that took the wolf case to court are shocked that the state was upheld in the Court of Appeal on Friday. But Norwegian farmers rejoice.

The Borgarting Court of Appeal ruling on Friday ensures that wolf hunting in the territories Hornmoen, Rømskog, Bograngen, and Slettås can start.

This year’s wolf hunt should have started on January 1, but was postponed when the three animal protection organizations – Noah, WWF, and Foreningen Våre Rovdyr – took the case to court just before the New Year.

They believed that the government’s decision to uphold the decision on wolf hunting in the four territories was invalid – and requested a so-called temporary injunction. On January 30, they were upheld in Oslo District Court, but the case was appealed to the Borgarting Court of Appeal.

There, the state prevailed.

“This means that wolves can be hunted within the wolf zone this winter. We will start issuing licenses as soon as practicable, and we will, if necessary, consider measures to ensure that the entire quota can be taken out this year,” Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide (AP) stated.

In addition, the quota is extended. The original quota was up to 25 animals, but it has now been extended to up to 28 animals.

Animal organizations shocked

“Noah is shocked by the ruling,” Noah leader Siri Martinsen stated.

Due to the Court of Appeal’s ruling, the organizations will probably not have the opportunity to take the case further until the wolves have been hunted down.

“The whole point of a temporary injunction was to ensure that the animals were not shot before a full judicial trial – but now the animals will die, without having had the opportunity to present arguments about, for example, other possible solutions,” the three organizations wrote in a press release.

“Correct and important”

On the other side, the Norwegian Farmers’ Association is satisfied with the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

“We believe the government’s decision… was both correct and important. It is necessary to manage wolves,” Bjørn Gimming, leader of the Norwegian Farmers’ Association, stated.

He says they will now ask the Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide (AP) that the license hunt be extended so that the decision can be implemented this winter.

Source : NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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