The EU wants to limit protections for wolves as farmers fear for their livestock

The European Commission announced on Monday that it is weighing whether to adjust rules to limit protections for wolves as a resurgence in the canine numbers has triggered growing tensions with farmers concerned about the safety of their livestock.

The announcement came almost exactly a year to the day after a wolf killed a pony belonging to the president of the European Union's executive branch, Ursula von der Leyen, early last September at her family farm in Hannover, northern Germany.

"The concentration of wolf packs in some European regions has become a real danger for livestock and potentially also for humans," von der Leyen said in a statement. "I urge local and national authorities to take action where necessary."

Experts and environmental groups estimate that up to 19,000 wolves may be present in the 27 EU member countries, with populations of more than...