Brussels: biodiversity protection and coexistence with large carnivores a priority: Consultation with stakeholders on the report on large carnivores
On 13 December, a meeting was held in Brussels to discuss with stakeholders the proposals and insights of the new working document by rapporteur Csaba Borboly.
The opinion, entitled ‘Biodiversity Conservation and Coexistence with Large Carnivores in Europe – Challenges and Opportunities for Local and Regional Authorities’, aims to respond to the challenges and opportunities faced by local and regional authorities in balancing the conservation of large carnivores and their habitats with the protection of human life and economic activities.
The deliberations were structured around the following points: the importance of traditional management: the need to preserve traditional farming practices, the need to increase support, the introduction of clear rules in all Member States to manage wildlife damage, the promotion of regional projects, the need for coexistence strategies to be site-specific, to include cultural values and environmental conditions.
An earlier log on the site is available at the following link: https://fb.watch/otFTTFBQcC/
Csaba Borboly explained:
-Our aim today is to gather the views and diverse perspectives of stakeholders on this critical issue. At the moment, highlighting the issue of large carnivores in the context of biodiversity is key.
-Therefore, our current draft opinion seeks to respond to the challenges and opportunities facing local and county governments: conserving large carnivores and their habitats, and balancing the protection of human life and economic activities. In many Member States, the continuity of traditional farming methods is not only a cultural heritage but also a safeguard for biodiverse areas, promoting unique ecosystems and preserving genetic diversity, which is essential for global ecological stability. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the abandonment of agriculture has reduced the area of pasture and meadows in Harghita County by 3,000 hectares since 2017.
-But there are also concerns about the challenges posed by wildlife damage. In Romania, the bear population has grown rapidly, leading to an increase in encounters between bears and humans. Bear behaviour and habitat preferences differ from those of other large carnivores. Large bear populations can have a variety of impacts on biodiversity. The abandonment of traditional farming practices due to damage caused by large carnivores may lead to changes in land use. By actively addressing the negative impacts of large bear populations on human security, we can raise awareness of the importance of
sustainable wildlife management and promote a balanced approach that takes into account the needs and security of human communities and the natural environment.
In this respect, the Romanian Ministry of Environment published on 5 April this year the results of a study on brown bear population estimation carried out by ICAS and the Transilvania University of Brasov, which indicates a population of 7536-8093 bears in Romania.
This figure is derived from 5960-6620 individuals previously reported in the European Union in 2007, taking into account the growth rate and all variations.
