Environment Ministry and KDH Agree on Change to Bill Dealing with Bears

Bratislava, April 16 (TASR) - The Environment Ministry has agreed with the opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) on a change to a bill allowing the shooting of problematic bears without administrative proceedings, Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee) reported on Tuesday. "It's proof that the hand I extended to the opposition was accepted," remarked Taraba in this vein. The original bill proposed by the ministry allowed towns and villages to set up 500-metre perimeter zones in which it would be possible to kill bears without administrative proceedings if there is a clear risk of an encounter between people and the animals. The new, amended bill allows the authorities to shoot bears if they pose threat to life, health and economic interests, while the area where this will be allowed will be determined by individual town halls. The government is expected to deal with the bill on Wednesday. zel/mcs