Bears that have been shot down in Slovakia will be put back into the wild for consumption - Slovakia to Put Bears Hunted for Food into Circulation
Slovakia Plans to Sell Consumed Brown Bears Amidst Controversy
Slovakia has announced plans to sell shot brown bears for public consumption, a decision that has stirred legal, political, and public controversy. Environmental State Secretary Filip Kuffa revealed this initiative, stating it aims to prevent the disposal of shot animals in rendering plants.
Under the new policy, every shot bear meeting certain conditions will be released for consumption. Kuffa explained, "Because bear meat is edible." Subordinate organizations of the Environmental Ministry have started issuing licenses for resale to catering businesses, with traders required to apply for certificates confirming the legality of the animal's shooting.
Critics denounce the proposal as turning the Environmental Ministry into a butcher shop. Liberal opposition MP Tamara Stohlova argued, "This is absurd."
In Slovakia, roughly 1,200 free-roaming bears live, primarily protected year-round. Only in cases where bears endanger humans can they be shot. Recently, a 49-year-old man was severely injured by a bear on private premises. Due to rising dangerous attacks, the government decided to shoot up to 350 so-called "problem bears." To date, only 23 have been killed, with the support of the army, according to Kuffa.
Brown bears are strictly protected under EU law, with culling allowed only in exceptional cases when public safety is threatened, and alternative methods fail. The EU directs that the culling of bears should never be pursued as a means of population control. Critics argue that the Slovakian government is ignoring conservation laws and scientific advice.
Many conservationists and opposition politicians view this policy as a dangerous precedent for other protected species in Europe. The brown bear is listed as an endangered species in the EU by the IUCN. Some argue that prevention measures rather than mass culling should be prioritized.
The government defends its decision by claiming the measure addresses a waste management issue, as previously, culled bears were sent to carcass disposal facilities. However, this policy has raised international concern regarding the implications for endangered species protection.
This situation highlights the ongoing tension between wildlife conservation and public safety, carrying substantial legal, ethical, and political repercussions.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive concerning Slovakia's plan to sell consumed brown bears, given the controversy surrounding it. It's essential that this policy considers not only health-and-wellness aspects, such as edible bear meat, but also the science and conservation of the endangered species in question, as well as the potential impact on other protected species in Europe.
