Taraba: Slovakia to Ask EC for Cull Quota Based on Bear Census

Bratislava, 27 February (TASR) - Slovakia will ask the European Commission (EC) for a cull quota based on a bear census, Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) told the media on Friday, adding that the census might take place this year and that he expects 10,000 samples to be collected. "They eliminate 470 bears every year in Sweden. We'll also follow this path when we provide the EC with a bear census, which we expect to be carried out this year," said Taraba. Taraba also commented on the ministry's lost court case concerning an exemption permit for shooting eight bears in the Liptov area. According to the minister, the decision is about nothing and has no impact, as the court was deciding on matters whose effect expired on 31 December, 2025. "So, it ruled on something that is no longer valid. The judge was unable to answer questions concerning the identification of bears, whether they should be weighed, or if a piece of fur should be taken and rushed to a laboratory to determine their DNA," he said, adding that the law says nothing about the form of detection or definition of a bear. ko/df