Slovakia to introduce new environmental and animal protection crimes

The Slovak government has approved a proposal to introduce several new environmental crimes and legal amendments. According to the Ministry of Justice, a new crime regarding the violation of animal protection is being introduced to target unethical breeders who prioritize profit over animal welfare. This includes a penalty that can ban the offender from owning or breeding animals to prevent them from immediately starting new breeding operations after a conviction.

Other proposed changes include a separate crime for gross negligence in the protection of trees and shrubs, as well as a new offense for the unauthorized production and handling of fluorinated greenhouse gases. This latter measure responds to data showing that these gases account for 2.5 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the EU.

Additionally, the proposal seeks to remove the crime of ‘bending the law’ (ohýbanie práva) following discussions with the European Commission and the Council of Europe (GRECO). This change also modifies the procedure for the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic regarding the prosecution of judges for crimes committed during their judicial activities.