Romania and Slovakia push EU to relax brown bear protection

Romania and Slovakia are leading an EU‑wide push to downgrade the protection status of brown bears, arguing that growing populations are causing rising human‑bear conflicts and significant economic losses for farmers. Romania estimates around 11,500 bears and Slovakia about 2,500, together comprising more than half of Europe’s brown bear population. Over the past five years the two countries reported 18 human deaths and more than 200 serious injuries, while compensation claims for livestock damage surged to €2.6 million in Romania and €550 000 in Slovakia.

The governments cited the recent EU decision to lower wolf protection as a precedent and seek a similar re‑classification for bears. At a summit of EU agriculture ministers in Luxembourg, the proposal was backed by twelve member states, including the Czech Republic, Croatia and Finland. Romanian vice‑premier Barna Tánczos warned, “These are not horror‑movie titles,” and Slovak state secretary Vladimír Vnuk added, “For people in the countryside it is not a debate, it is a matter of daily safety.” Environmental groups oppose the move, fearing a dangerous precedent for large predators.

EU officials have not yet responded, and the initiative highlights a broader tension in European environmental policy between wildlife conservation and rural safety and livelihoods.