Source: European Parliament
The Commission is currently assessing the recently adopted resolution[1] of the Slovak government on culling 350 bears, which lays down the obligation on the Minister of Environment to issue derogations for the culling.
The Commission has been in contact with the Slovak authorities and asked for more information about the implementation of this resolution and the derogation decisions issued by Slovakia. The Commission has also sought clarification on the new methodology used by Slovakia to estimate its bear population.
Without prejudice to the Commission’s role as the guardian of the Treaties, Member States’ national administrative and judicial authorities are primarily responsible to ensure that EU legislation is complied with. In that respect the Commission recalls that national courts play an essential role in ensuring that the derogations adopted at national level are in full compliance with the provisions of the Habitats Directive[2].
Nonetheless, the Commission is closely following the situation and in case of an established breach would take any action deemed necessary.