Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah (CD) plans to allow wolf hunting starting from 1 January.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry aims to hunt at least 65 wolves this winter, with a target population of 273 wolves to ensure a favourable conservation status, significantly lower than the current population of about 430.
A report to the European Commission states that the Finnish wolf population is at a favourable conservation level in most of the country, except for the northwesternmost part.
The number of wolves in Finland has risen dramatically, especially in the west and southwest.
Author's summary: Finland plans to hunt 65 wolves this winter.