"I regret that Sweden has begun the licensed hunting of wolves," the Commissioner for the environment Janez Potocnik said in a statement.

"The actions of the Swedish authorities leave me with little choice other than to propose to the Commission that it begin formal proceedings against Sweden for breach of EU environmental law."

The Commission will consider the matter on January 27, his spokesman said.

Sweden last month announced hunters would be allowed to cull 20 wolves in 2011 despite harsh criticism of last year's cull.

Asked for comment, the Swedish government told AFP in Stockholm that it was convinced the cull was "in line with EU rules."

"But we will hear what the Commission has to say," it added.

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency said that between January 15 and February 15 licensed hunters would be permitted to shoot 20 wolves, down from the quota of 27 animals last year.

Thousands of hunters have already killed 16 of the 20 wolves.

The hunt follows a 2009 decision by parliament to limit the wolf population to 210 animals, spread out in 20 packs, with 20 new pups per year, for a period of five years by issuing hunting permits in regions where wolves have recently reproduced.

The 2010 hunt was the first since 1964.

After almost disappearing, wolves have reproduced in the last three decades with sheep and reindeer increasingly under attack.

The head of Sweden's Association for the Protection of Nature welcomed the possibility of EU action.

"The noose is tightening around Sweden," said Mikael Karlsson, who heads the group.

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