In a recent decision, the Supreme Administrative Court of Finland has ruled not to take up the appeal filed by the nature conservation organization Tapiola ry, which challenged the wolf hunting quota established by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. This quota, which allows for the hunting of up to 100 wolves outside reindeer husbandry areas, is set to come into effect on January 1, 2025, and encompasses the hunting year 2025-2026.

The court's decision was made on February 19 and emphasized that the judiciary does not have the constitutional authority to annul such regulations. The ruling suggests that existing EU laws or international agreements do not provide sufficient grounds for the appeal. As a result, the court has declined to consider the arguments presented by the organization against the hunting quota, effectively allowing the established rules to stand.

This decision has significant implications for wildlife management and conservation efforts in Finland. The ruling reinforces the government's stance on managing wolf populations through regulated hunting, which is a contentious issue among various stakeholders. While proponents argue for the necessity of controlled hunting to maintain ecological balance and support local reindeer herding practices, conservationists express concerns over the potential impacts on wolf populations and biodiversity.