EU CAUTIONS SLOVAKIA: BROWN BEAR MEAT GENERALLY PROHIBITED

The European Commission's Environment Commissioner, Jessika Roswall, has reminded Slovakia that brown bears are strictly protected under EU law. This means the commercial sale and consumption of their meat are generally forbidden, though limited exceptions exist under stringent conditions including health and hygiene standards.

Brussels – Can you find brown bear meat on a restaurant menu? While theoretically possible under very specific circumstances, the practice is largely discouraged by the European Union, which has strict regulations and potential infringement procedures. The European Commission recently issued a warning to Slovakia after the country passed a new national law permitting the serving of brown bear meat, a move that sparked considerable debate. Socialist MEP César Luena has since sought clarification from the Commission, arguing that Slovakia's initiative appears to clash with established EU regulations and values.

"Brown bears are strictly protected under the Habitats Directive," emphasized Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall. This protection means that EU law "prohibits the keeping, transport, sale, or exchange of bear specimens taken from the wild." Consequently, Roswall reiterated, "commercial activities within the EU involving bears or bear meat are therefore generally prohibited."

While the Commissioner acknowledged that exceptional circumstances might allow for derogations from these rules, she stressed the importance of rigorous adherence to procedures, warning that sanctions could be automatically triggered otherwise. Beyond conservation concerns, strict health and hygiene standards also apply. EU regulations concerning the hygiene of animal products for human consumption do classify brown bears as "large wild game," implying they can be hunted and consumed. However, any hunted animals must first be taken to a specialized game processing facility for inspection before being deemed fit for human consumption.

Food businesses handling bear meat are also obligated to comply with general food safety requirements, such as traceability, as well as general and specific good hygiene practices. They must also follow procedures based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles.

In essence, while serving bear meat on a menu might be technically permissible, it is only so if every single legal requirement is meticulously fulfilled. Slovakia may permit this practice, but thorough checks will determine whether the country and its restaurant industry are in full compliance with EU law.