Farmers are facing threats for using subsidies for wolf-related measures

A spokesperson of BIJ12 has said that farmers are being threatened for using subsidy schemes. "this is then scaring others." This is in response to the news that half of the subsidies for wolf-resistant grids have not yet been used. "The subsidy schemes are a very sensitive subject."

According to BIJ12, Wolf consultants who are being used to support farmers during the subsidy application process in some provinces are also being threatened.

Research from ANP shows that more than 5 million euros of subsidies have been issued while the budget is 10 million euros.

The number of wolf attacks has risen sharply this year. Nearly all of the cases happened when the people did not have wolf-resistant grids installed. The subsidy arrangement is meant to encourage livestock farmers to purchase these grids to limit the damage to their livestock.

Some livestock farmers do not want to take any measures out of principle, said Maurice La Haye, a wolf specialist and team leader of land and marine mammals at the Dutch Mammal Society. "They want the wolf to be shot and for it to disappear from the country." He added that some farmers want to take measures but do not know how to do so. "A lot of misinformation is being spread."

Wolf consultants can help with this. "Some provinces are already actively advising farmers about which measures they can take, but they are only allowed to do this when a livestock farmer asks them to," La Haye said. "They are not allowed to search for the farmers proactively, and that is what is needed to reach the group who do not know enough of it yet."

State Secretary (Nature) Jean Rummenie wants a national team to help place extra wolf-resistant grids. The team would help set the grids and support livestock farmers in filling out the paperwork for the subsidy request.

Agricultural and horticultural organization LTO does not recognize the claims that farmers are being threatened but has seen that the subsidy applications are lagging in some provinces. "That is a shame but understandable in some cases," said the organization. "Sadly, there is not a wolf consultant in every province. The terrain is often hard to screen off, or herds are moved across many pastures."

Another issue is that the subsidy request can only be applied for when farmers pay for the grids themselves first. "Maintaining the grids is also very expensive and time-consuming."

Provinces like Utrecht and Noord-Brabant have only used a quarter of the subsidy budget. Gelderland and Drenthe have used the subsidy on many occasions. The number of applicants was so significant that more money was made available as a result.

The subsidy schemes in Gelderland and Drenthe are still valid for approximately two years. In the other provinces, the arrangements will end at the end of this year or early next year. These provinces do plan to offer the schemes again.