Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? The EU moves to loosen protections for the animals

The European Union is moving toward backing plans to remove some of its protections for wolves on the continent as their population grows, in the latest political clash between farmers and environmentalists.

Ambassadors of the 27 EU nations reached a qualified majority Wednesday to seek to loosen protection rules now enshrined in the European Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats.

A ruling is expected in December, though EU ministers must officially vote on the bloc's position in the coming weeks.

Farmers in many members have been increasingly angered by attacks on their livestock by wolfpacks as the animals have taken hold in woods and fields close to agricultural lands.

The issue was brought to the EU's doorstep two years ago when a wolf killed a pony belonging to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.