Slovakia will get approval from the European Commission (EC) for its new and controversial law, which makes it easier to slaughter bears that approach towns and villages, in exchange for a vote in favor of the Nature Restoration Law, allowing an environment for regulation. The Slovak deputy prime minister, who is also responsible for the environment, told the North American newspaper Politico that the country, which has suffered many advances and setbacks, has become viable.
“We have made it very clear that we cannot support [a Lei do Restauro da Natureza] On the impossibility of getting our new bear legislation approved. He told POLITICO shortly after speaking in favor of the regulation, which requires member states to adopt measures to restore a fifth of natural habitats, both terrestrial and marine, by 2030.
In response to a question from the same newspaper, Virginius Sienkevicius, the European Commissioner responsible for the environment, oceans and fisheries, denied the incident reported by the Slovakian minister. “It’s a very strange rumour… There were no discussions or negotiations: bears or the Nature Restoration Act… There was no exchange or anything like that,” he declared, adding that no further agreement had been reached to get Slovakia’s vote.
However, in a letter sent to Tomas Taraba and made available to Politico by his office, Sinkevicius appeared to give the assurance the Slovakian deputy prime minister wanted, two days after a meeting between the two parties in which Taraba reportedly offered a kind of ultimatum.
“As agreed during Thursday’s meeting, our experts have analyzed as comprehensively as possible the new Slovak law amending the Civil Protection Law and the Nature Law, and I am happy to share with you who concluded that the new law emerges,” the commissioner wrote. To be broadly compatible with the EU Habitats Directive.”
Bear incidents have increased
Before expressing his hope of voting in favor of Taraba on the Nature Restoration Act, Sinkevicius noted that there were “some provisions in which compliance with EU legislation will largely depend on how it is implemented.”
Speaking to Expresso, the European Commission spokesperson responsible for the Environment portfolio echoed the message sent by Virginius Sienkevicius to the Slovak Deputy Prime Minister. “We have informed the Slovak authorities that based on a preliminary assessment, the new law appears to be largely compatible with the EU Habitats Directive, and at the same time, the preliminary assessment has identified some provisions that are compatible with EU legislation. Much will depend on how they are implemented.”
Moreover, the official adds, “the Commission’s services are ready to work constructively and provide full assistance to the Slovak authorities, so that compliance with EU legislation is also ensured at the implementation stage.”
According to Politico, Thomas Taraba ignored the reservations made by the European Commission, after telling that newspaper that Brussels considered the new law “fully compatible” with European legislation.
Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho attended a meeting of the European Council of Environment Ministers on Monday, which aims to approve a new European environment law. A source from her office told Expresso that the government official “is not aware of the existence of these alleged negotiations, which may have taken place with the aim of approving the nature restoration law.”
The Slovak Parliament recently approved a diploma that allows local authorities and licensed hunters to shoot bears that approach populated areas, as long as they are at least 500 meters from the borders of these villages. Until now, animals could only be slaughtered after they were removed from homes or returned to the forest.
The controversial law emerged after an increase in incidents involving these animals in recent years. In March, a woman fell into a ravine while being chased by a bear, and five other people were injured in a separate attack.
The bears are a protected species under European law, meaning their slaughter is subject to strict regulations and cannot jeopardize their long-term conservation. However, the Slovak Deputy Prime Minister, who belongs to the far-right Slovak National Party, is putting pressure on Slovak and European institutions to relax bear protection rules.
