Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“The meat of brown bears, a protected species in the EU, could soon be available to eat in Slovakia after the populist government approved plans for sale. Last month, the cabinet authorised a plan to shoot about a quarter of the country’s 1,300 brown bears in response to some recent fatal encounters. The state-authorised slaughter has been criticised by conservationists and opposition politicians, including in the European Parliament. The brown bear is listed as a ‘near threatenend’ species in the EU by the World Conservation Union. However, Slovakia’s government is forging ahead with the plan and this week announced that meat from culled bears would be sold to the public to prevent waste. From next week, organisations under the environment ministry can offer the meat for sale, provided all legal and hygiene conditions are met.” (05/28/25)