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Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Brown bears to become legal source of meat in bid to stop attacks on humans
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico approved plans to shoot 350 of the country's 1,300 brown bears in response to some fatal attacks. The meat will be sold for human consumption Controversial plans to slaughter brown bears and sell the meat for human consumption will cause "immense suffering", according to leading animal groups. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico approved plans to shoot 350 of the country's 1,300 brown bears in response to some recent fatal attacks. Brown bears, which are a protected species under EU law, will be sold to the public in a bid to "prevent waste", according to State Minister Filip Kuffa. 'We will supply every captured individual [bear] that meets the conditions for consumption,' he said this week in a social media post. "Because bear meat can be eaten', the ministry will 'offer caught specimens for sale,' he added. Despite the brown bear being listed as a "near threatened" species in the EU by the World Conservation Union, the move state-authoritised slaughter has been approved. After a man was mauled to death while working in a forest in Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico said: "We can't live in a country where people are afraid to go into the woods." Slovakia reported a total of 54 bear attacks from 2000-2020, with the average number of attacks rising to around ten a year, according to the latest figures. PETA's Vice President of Programmes, Elisa Allen, criticised the move and said killing the bears will cause "immense suffering" She told The Mirror: "No one needs to eat bears, and bears don't wish to be eaten - they simply want to be left in peace. Humane, non-lethal solutions – including habitat management, bear-proof rubbish bins, and public education about bear-safe behaviours – have proven effective in addressing perceived wildlife issues, and authorities owe it to these sensitive, majestic animals to use them. "Killing bears risks orphaning cubs, causing immense suffering, and destabilising ecosystems. Rather than destroying and consuming the natural world, we must learn to live compatibly with other species." However, State Minister Mr Kuffa claimed it was "wasteful" the animals were being to a carcass disposal facilities, as he attempted to justify the meat sale. But the decision to cull the bears and sell them for human consumption been slammed by conservationists and opposition politicians. The World Wide Fund for Nature Slovakia called the culling and sale of meat "unacceptable." A spokesperson told The Mirror: "We are deeply concerned by the Slovak government's latest steps regarding the management of the brown bear population, including the recent approval of a mass cull and the reported allowance for the public sale of bear meat. 'WWF Slovakia underlines that brown bear is a protected species under EU Habitats Directive, Bern Convention, as well as CITES. The latest management measures are not only unacceptable from an ethical and environmental point of view, but they are also in direct conflict with European law and international treaties. 'The brown bear is a strictly protected species in Slovakia. Yet, we saw a record 144 bears killed in 2023 — the highest number in over 100 years. Despite this unprecedented culling, the number of human-bear conflicts has not decreased. This further confirms what science has already made clear: indiscriminate, large-scale culling does not reduce human-bear dangerous encounters. 'The Ministry of Environment, under the current government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, continues to propose non-systemic, short-sighted solutions that fail to address the root causes of the issues. The proposal to kill another 350 bears could mean losing almost half of Slovakia's bear population in just two years – with no guarantee that this will make people safer. "Instead of turning Slovakia's protected wildlife into a menu item, the government should prioritize evidence-based prevention measures, such as: Better waste and food management in towns and villages near bear habitats, Removing baiting sites near settlements and hiking trails, Supporting measures to prevent bear attacks on livestock, supporting emergency response teams to deal with problematic bears, Placing warning signs in areas inhabited by bears and Educating people on how to behave safely in the wild. "We ask the Slovak government to stop these harmful measures and focus on long-term, responsible wildlife management. Allowing the sale of meat from a protected species like the brown bear is an unprecedented and concerning decision, which could lead to even more damage to wildlife being treated as products."
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Wolf protection downgrade gets green light in EU
Wolf protection downgrade gets green light in EU (Photo: AFP) EU lawmakers on Thursday gave the green light to downgrading wolf protections in the bloc, which will allow hunting to resume under strict criteria. Members of the Bern Convention, tasked with the protection of wildlife in Europe as well as some African countries, agreed in December to lower the wolf's status from "strictly protected" to "protected". The downgrade came into force in March, and the European Commission moved immediately to revise related EU laws to reflect the change. EU lawmakers approved the move by a majority of 371 to 162, with support from conservative, centrist and hard-right groups. The law requires a formal rubber stamp by EU member states, which have already endorsed the text before entering into force, after which states will have 18 months to comply. Operation Sindoor 'Did not want to...': Pak def min gives absurd excuse for army's failure to withstand Op Sindoor Blackouts, sirens & Pak's failed attacks: 10 things that happened in the last 36 hrs '1971 war was not remotely as terrifying': Residents of border areas shell-shocked Green and left-wing parties voted against a change they denounce as politically motivated and lacking scientific basis, while the parliament's socialist grouping was split on the matter. The European Union, as a party to the Bern Convention was the driving force behind the push to lower protections, arguing that the increase in wolf numbers has led to more frequent contact with humans and livestock. But activists fear the measure would upset the recovery made by the species over the past 10 years after it faced near extinction a century ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Download Chrome Symptomdepot Undo A trio of campaign groups, humane world for animals europe, eurogroup for animals and the international fund for animal welfare (IFAW) denounced the vote as "a worrying precedent for European nature conservation." "There is no data justifying a lower level of protection, but the EU institutions decided to ignore science," IFAW's Europe policy director Ilaria Di Silvestre said in a joint statement. Echoing those concerns, Sebastian Everding of the Left group in parliament said the move "ignores effective coexistence tools". "Downgrading wolf protection... panders to fear, not facts," he charged. Grey wolves were virtually exterminated in Europe 100 years ago, but their numbers have surged to a current population of 20,300, mostly in the Balkans, Nordic countries, Italy and Spain. No licence to kill Commission president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the results of the vote on Thursday. "With growing wolf concentrations in some areas, we should give authorities more flexibility to find balanced solutions between the aim to protect biodiversity and the livestock of local farmers," she wrote. In late 2022, von der Leyen lost her beloved pony Dolly to a wolf that crept into its enclosure on her family's rural property in northern Germany, leading some to suggest the matter had become personal. In practice, the EU rule change makes it easier to hunt wolves in rural and mountainous regions where their proximity to livestock and sheepdogs is deemed too threatening. Von der Leyen's European People's Party (EPP), which spearheaded the change, has stressed that member states will remain in charge of wolf management on their soil, but with more flexibility than before. To date, there have been no human casualties linked to rising wolf populations, but some lawmakers backing the change warn that it may only be a question of time. Spain's Esther Herranz Garcia, a member of the conservative EPP, cited figures showing that wolves attacked more than 60,000 farm animals in the bloc every year. "The people who feed our country cannot be expected to work with this fear hanging over them," said France's Valerie Deloge, a livestock farmer and lawmaker with the hard-right Patriots group, where the rule change found support. Socialist and centrist lawmakers, while agreeing to back the changes under a fast-track procedure struck a more measured tone. "This is not a licence to kill," Pascal Canfin, a French lawmaker with the centrist Renew group, told AFP. "We are providing more leeway for local exemptions, wolves remain a protected species."
Agriland
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Agriland
European Parliament changes protection status of wolves
The European Parliament has changed the EU's wolf protection status from 'strictly protected' to 'protected', to align it with the Bern Convention. With 371 votes for, 162 against and 37 abstentions, the parliament supported the European Commission's proposal for a targeted change of the Habitats Directive. The commission's proposal to alter the protection status of wolves in the EU came following a push from parliament for it. Member states will now have greater flexibility in managing their wolf populations to improve coexistence with humans and to minimise the impact of a growing wolf population in the EU. They will also be better able to take measures that are adapted to particular regional circumstances, according to the parliament. Among those in the parliament who voted for the change in status are MEPs who are members of the European People's Party grouping, which includes Irish Fine Gael MEPs. EPP group spokesman in the parliament's Agriculture Committee, Herbert Dorfmann MEP said: 'Farmers can now breathe a sigh of relief. We have listened to their concerns and delivered real change at the European level to address today's reality and protect rural livelihoods. 'The Habitats Directive has been a clear success, helping the wolf population recover from near extinction to over 20,000 individuals across the continent. 'But now it's time to adapt to today's reality. This means balancing our conservation efforts with protecting farmers,' Dorfmann added. Protection status of wolves Member states must continue to ensure the wolf's favourable conservation status and may continue to list the wolf as a strictly protected species in national legislation, and to have stricter measures in place for its protection. The European Parliament agreed on Tuesday (May 6) to deal with the file under its urgent procedure, effectively 'fast-tracking' it. To enter into force, the draft law now requires formal approval by the European Council, which endorsed the same text on April 16, 2025. The directive will enter into force 20 days after it has been published in the EU Official Journal. Member states will then have 18 months to comply. According to the commission, there are over 20,000 wolves in Europe, and their populations and ranges are growing. This conservation success story has however led to increasing conflicts with human activities in some regions, in particular concerning livestock, it added. Previously, president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen has said that the comeback of wolves is good news for biodiversity in Europe, but the concentration of wolf packs in some regions has become 'a real danger especially for livestock'.
eNCA
08-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Wolf protection downgrade gets green light in EU
EU lawmakers on Thursday gave the green light to downgrading wolf protections in the bloc, which will allow hunting to resume under strict criteria. Members of the Bern Convention, tasked with the protection of wildlife in Europe as well as some African countries, agreed in December to lower the wolf's status from "strictly protected" to "protected". The downgrade came into force in March, and the European Commission moved immediately to revise related EU laws to reflect the change. EU lawmakers approved the move by a majority of 371 to 162, with support from conservative, centrist and hard-right groups. The law requires a formal rubber-stamp by EU member states -- which have already endorsed the text -- before entering into force, after which states will have 18 months to comply. Green and left-wing parties voted against a change they denounce as politically motivated and lacking scientific basis, while the parliament's socialist grouping was split on the matter. The European Union -- as a party to the Bern Convention -- was the driving force behind the push to lower protections, arguing that the increase in wolf numbers has led to more frequent contact with humans and livestock. But activists fear the measure would upset the recovery made by the species over the past 10 years after it faced near extinction a century ago. A trio of campaign groups -- Humane World for Animals Europe, Eurogroup for Animals and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) -- denounced the vote as "a worrying precedent for European nature conservation." "There is no data justifying a lower level of protection, but the EU institutions decided to ignore science," IFAW's Europe policy director Ilaria Di Silvestre said in a joint statement. Echoing those concerns, Sebastian Everding of the Left group in parliament said the move "ignores effective coexistence tools". "Downgrading wolf protection... panders to fear, not facts," he charged. Grey wolves were virtually exterminated in Europe 100 years ago, but their numbers have surged to a current population of 20,300, mostly in the Balkans, Nordic countries, Italy and Spain. - No 'licence to kill' - Commission president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the results of the vote on Thursday. "With growing wolf concentrations in some areas, we should give authorities more flexibility to find balanced solutions between the aim to protect biodiversity and the livestock of local farmers," she wrote. In late 2022, von der Leyen lost her beloved pony Dolly to a wolf that crept into its enclosure on her family's rural property in northern Germany -- leading some to suggest the matter had become personal. In practice, the EU rule change makes it easier to hunt wolves in rural and mountainous regions where their proximity to livestock and sheepdogs is deemed too threatening. Von der Leyen's European People's Party (EPP), which spearheaded the change, has stressed that member states will remain in charge of wolf management on their soil -- but with more flexibility than before. To date, there have been no human casualties linked to rising wolf populations -- but some lawmakers backing the change warn that it may only be a question of time. Spain's Esther Herranz Garcia, a member of the conservative EPP, cited figures showing that wolves attacked more than 60,000 farm animals in the bloc every year. "The people who feed our country cannot be expected to work with this fear hanging over them," said France's Valerie Deloge, a livestock farmer and lawmaker with the hard-right Patriots group, where the rule change found support. Socialist and centrist lawmakers -- while agreeing to back the changes under a fast-track procedure -- struck a more measured tone. "This is not a licence to kill," Pascal Canfin, a French lawmaker with the centrist Renew group, told AFP. "We are providing more leeway for local exemptions -- wolves remain a protected species." By Matthieu Demeestere
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
European Parliament votes to lower protections on wolves
BARCELONA (AP) — Lawmakers in Europe voted Thursday to downgrade protections for wolves across the European Union's 27 states in a victory for farmers over environmentalists. Nearly two-thirds of the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg, France voted to change wolves' status from 'strictly protected' to 'protected' in a vote of 371 to 162, with 37 abstentions. Centrist and right-wing groups celebrated the vote. 'Farmers can now breathe a sigh of relief," said Herbert Dorfmann, a spokesperson for the European People's Party, a coalition of center-right groups in the EU. Right-wing Dutch politician Sander Smit said on Twitter: 'This is fantastic news." Environmental groups criticized the decision as politically motivated rather than scientifically grounded. 'This is a sad day for biodiversity and wild animals,' said Léa Badoz at the Eurogroup for Animals. Joanna Swabe, a spokesperson for Humane World for Animals, called for individual governments to increase national protection for wolves. Politician Jutta Paulus from the parliament's Greens party said the campaign to reduce the wolves' protection 'borrows from the Donald Trump playbook' and 'ignores scientific evidence and attacks legislation which has been proven to work for decades for no clear gain other than the scoring of cheap populistic points." Tuesday's vote was the final real hurdle before the measure becomes EU law. The change to the central Habitats Directive law will now likely be passed swiftly by the European Council and enter into force across the 27 member states. Once deemed necessary to combat threats to the apex predator, restrictions on hunting wolves have over the past few years lost public support as many EU environmental rules and regulations have come under pressure in recent years. Populist and extreme-right parties have criticized the measures as being thought up by urban elites with little knowledge of rural life. Farmers in many member states have been increasingly angered by attacks on livestock by packs of wolves that have thrived in woods and fields close to agricultural land. The political movement to ease rules on killing wolves was given top-level support by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. An ardent fan of horses, von der Leyen had a pony Dolly that was killed by a wolf three years ago. Last year, more than 50 European nations from Turkey to Iceland voted to change the biodiversity treaty known as the Bern Convention to curtail protections for wolves. Experts and environmental groups estimate there could be up to 19,000 wolves across Europe, with large populations thought to roam in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain. After nearly being wiped out in the 20th century, their numbers are estimated to have grown by at least 25% over the last decade. Programs around the world to protect wolves have been shown to benefit local ecosystems. Yellowstone National Park in the United States said reintroducing wolves in 1995 had led to a better regulated food chain that helped drive a bump in forest cover and animal populations. Yet American states like Wyoming and Montana have passed similar bills allowing for more killing of wolves, driven as in Europe by politics mixing agitated farmers and safety concerns. 'Wolves are vital to healthy ecosystems, but today's vote treats them as a political problem, not an ecological asset', said Ilaria Di Silvestre, Director of Policy and Advocacy for Europe at International Fund for Animal Welfare. 'The EU was once proud to lead on nature protection. Now we are seeing vital species like the wolf sacrificed for short-term political interests that will benefit no one.'
