​"Earth is home to millions of species and we need to do our best to preserve them. In all EU regions local populations coexist with animals. I understand that the interaction of humans with animals differs significantly from region to region and that some animals such as wolves or bears may cause damages and conflicts with human activities in certain situations. But it must remain our common goal to not only protect human settlements but also to better preserve biodiversity", said Cllr Linda Robinson (Member of Wychavon District Council in the United Kingdom) during the CoR plenary debate on 1 February.

Cllr Robinson represented the ECR Group during the debate on the CoR opinion "Promoting coexistence with conflict species within the framework of the EU Nature Directives". The CoR opinion was prepared under the leadership of EPP Group Member Mr Csaba Borboly from Romania, a country that is home to more than 6000 brown bears.

Cllr Robinson was critical of a number of points made in the opinion:  "The CoR document is broadly right but on a number of occasions it puts way too much emphasis on protection of human settlements and not enough on protection of biodiversity. Sadly, the language used in the document is very ambiguous, especially when it talks about removing conflict individuals. Carnivores are an important element of healthy ecosystems. The focus should remain on engaging scientists in efforts to maintain populations of predators in coexistence with people. That is why I decided not to support the CoR opinion during the final vote."

The European Union is home to five species of large carnivores. These include the brown bear, the wolf, the wolverine and two species of lynx, the Eurasian lynx and the Iberian lynx. Historically these species have all suffered dramatic declines in numbers and distribution as a consequence of human activity. Due to increases in their prey and forest cover and favourable legislation the last few decades have seen a positive response, with most populations stabilizing or increasing again. As a result these species have turned to many areas from which they had been absent for decades.         

However, while this recovery can be viewed as a great conservation success it has resulted in controversy in some areas. In response the European Commission has initiated a range of measures to encourage voluntary cooperation between relevant national authorities, engaging in dialogue with stakeholders and promoting best practices in management methods.