Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-003760/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sebastian Everding (The Left), Anja Hazekamp (The Left)
According to Article 16 of the EU Habitats Directive[1], Member States may issue derogations for the killing of ‘strictly protected species’, such as the brown bear, if ‘there is no satisfactory alternative’. Due to lethal human-bear encounters, Romania has set quotas for shooting bears in recent years under this article. However, the government’s DNA-based estimate (~13 000 in 2025) is contested, and non-lethal measures (such as a sanctuary for ‘problematic’ bears and proper waste management) in the National Action Plan (which received EU funding of approximately EUR 11 million) were not implemented by 2023 as planned. This raises concerns that Romania’s high estimate of bear numbers is being used to justify hunting tourism, especially since local conservationists question whether removals by hunters target ‘dangerous’ bears or mainly forest-dwelling ones[2].
- 1.What measures is the Commission taking to ensure that Romania spends the EUR 11 million on non-lethal measures such as proper waste management or chemical castrations?
- 2.Does the criticism of the official estimates affect the Commission’s assessment of Romania’s cooperation in implementing non-lethal measures?
- 3.Does the Commission see a conflict between Romania’s obligations under the Bern Convention and tourism activities involving bear hunting?
Submitted: 26.9.2025
- [1] Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the protection of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/43/oj (http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/43/oj)).
- [2] https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Romania/Bears-in-Romania-coexistence-becomes-complicated-238696.