France allows culling of around 200 wolves to protect livestock

FILE PHOTO: French farmers walk with hundreds of sheep as they stage a protest against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) which protects wolves which the farmers blame for livestock deaths and financial losses, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. REUTERS/Robert Pratta/File Photo

PARIS, Feb 20 (Reuters) - French ⁠authorities have allowed the culling of around 200 wolves as packs ⁠are spreading in farmlands and roaming near large cities, Agriculture ‌Minister Annie Genevard said on Friday.

A little more than 1,000 wolves are present in France and her services have increased the limit to the culling to 21% - so a ​little more than 200 - from an earlier 19%, ⁠and it could be increased ⁠again to 23%, she said.