Amendments to Finland's Hunting Act will allow wolf hunting during restricted periods based on regional quotas, set by Finland's ministry of agriculture and forestry.

The hunting period has been proposed to take place from 1 January to 10 February 2026, with the final decision on dates expected on Tuesday.

Previously, the killing of wolves has only been permitted when an individual posed a risk or caused severe damage.

The bill, which easily passed the country's parliament in December, could also relax strict rules on hunting lynx and bear, though a final decision will be taken later.

Under the law, at least 65 wolves could be killed in the coming winter season, the Finnish government has said.

According to the Natural Resources Institute Finland, the country had an estimated 430 wolves in March - a 46 percent increase from a year earlier, with most of them in the southwestern parts of the country.

Security concerns about encounters with wolves and the risk they pose to livestock were reasons for the changes, which come after the European Union earlier this year downgraded the wolf's protected status as its range and numbers spread throughout the continent.

Environmental organisations have criticised the bill, saying it threatens to breach EU's habitats directive.

Finland's Association for Nature Conservation has said a vital wolf population should consist of at least 525 individuals.

But the country's ministry of agriculture and forestry has put the reference number for ensuring the wolf's conservation status at 273 wolves.

According to a November survey commissioned by two animal rights organisations, 62 percent of Finns said wolf hunting should not be introduced under current circumstances.