Members of Parliament are tightening the rules protecting livestock farmers against wolf attacks.

The National Assembly adopted several measures on Wednesday aimed at facilitating the protection of livestock against wolf attacks, as part of the emergency agricultural bill. The text notably includes a relaxation of the rules governing defensive shooting against the predator.

Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard justified these changes by citing the increase in recorded attacks across the country. According to the government, more than 4,400 attacks and 12,500 animals killed were recorded in 2025 in 61 departments.

Easier shooting and permitted nighttime equipment

The text provides for an increase in the annual quota for wolf culls, which would rise from 19% to 21% of the estimated population, or even 23% in certain cases. This would represent approximately 227 wolves that could be killed, compared to 192 currently.

Members of Parliament also approved several amendments strengthening the means of defense for livestock farmers. One amendment, tabled by the National Rally, stipulates that certain defensive shots could be considered legitimate without prior authorization in the event of an imminent attack.

The Assembly also approved the use, under certain conditions, of night-vision or thermal imaging scopes for defensive shooting, despite the government's reservations about the risks to public safety. Left-wing and Green Party members denounced the legislation as too favorable to lethal force and called instead for strengthening livestock protection measures.