Slovakia’s plan to slaughter 350 brown bears this year, more than double the 144 killed in 2023, has triggered fierce condemnation from EU lawmakers, who accuse Bratislava of flouting bloc-wide wildlife protections, according to Euractiv.
Despite the brown bear’s strictly protected status under the EU Habitats Directive, which permits culling only as a last resort, Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government has escalated killings under an “emergency decree” issued after a fatal bear attack on a 59-year-old man.
MEPs across political groups are urging the European Commission to intervene, arguing Slovakia has ignored non-lethal deterrents and failed to prove the cull’s proportionality.
“[This is] a direct and serious breach of European rules,” said Renew’s Michal Wiezik, noting Slovakia’s reliance on shootings despite available preventive measures like electric fencing or bear-safe waste management. Spanish S&D MEP César Luena echoed calls for legal action, submitting a formal query to the Commission last week.
I demand that the European Commission act, and do so now.
Environmentalists allege Bratislava sidestepped mandatory assessments of alternatives before issuing hunting permits. Under the Habitats Directive, lethal measures require proof that coexistence efforts have failed, a bar critics say Slovakia has not met.
Former EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius, now a Green MEP, revealed he approved Slovakia’s 2024 emergency culling law in exchange for Bratislava’s support on the bloc’s Nature Restoration Law.
Protecting human life is absolutely essential – no one questions that. But at the same time, any action taken must be proportionate and in line with EU law.
While the Commission insists any measures must comply with EU law, it has yet to act–or even formally comment–on Slovakia’s actions. A spokesperson stated only that the executive is “analysing” the situation.
