Large carnivore policy in Europe must reflect real territorial and social conditions, not just conservation indicators. This was the main message of Csaba Borboly, Member of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and rapporteur on large carnivores at the OIKOS event “Hunting in Europe: an engine of economic and environmental value”, held at the European Parliament and hosted by MEP Isabel Benjumea.
Speaking as Vice-President of the Harghita County Council (Romania) and President of the Rural Development Association of Harghita County, Borboly outlined years of institutional work on human–wildlife coexistence, including his role as CoR rapporteur on conflict species (2017) and large carnivores (2024). He framed the current debate as part of an ongoing European process, now entering a decisive phase.
Borboly highlighted key institutional achievements already in place: recognition of human safety concerns, the applicability of derogations under Article 16 of the Habitats Directive—including selective lethal action—and the need for full EU funding for prevention and compensation measures. However, he stressed that further steps are required, including clearer implementation mechanisms and stronger alignment between EU law and national frameworks.
Drawing on concrete data from Romania, Borboly underscored the urgency of the issue: “In Harghita County, the science is clear. The bear population far exceeds ecological and social carrying capacity. This overpopulation is the direct cause of most human-wildlife conflicts today. If the legal removal of problem bears is not guaranteed, farmers are forced to deal with them themselves. That is a conservation failure. And it is local communities who pay the price.”
He pointed to the Harghita Regional Large Carnivore Platform—financed by the European Commission—as a model for operational, science-based action, but warned that without effective legal tools, such initiatives risk falling short.
Looking ahead, Borboly called for coordinated action across EU institutions. Under what he described as “parallel steps,” he urged:
• The European Commission to ensure that the ongoing stress test of the Habitats and Birds Directives leads to a reassessment of protection status where justified by scientific data, particularly in cases like Romania where populations exceed ecological thresholds.
• The European Parliament to translate scientific evidence and stakeholder input—such as that presented at the event—into concrete legislative outcomes, supported by the Biodiversity, Hunting and Countryside Intergroup.
• The European Council to elevate the issue politically, noting recent initiatives by Member States to bring large carnivore management onto the Council agenda.
Borboly concluded that multiple European initiatives—from regional platforms to ministerial discussions—are converging in the same direction, reflecting a growing consensus among affected communities and stakeholders. “The direction is clear,” he stated, calling for “science-based, territorially sensitive and human-centred large carnivore management,” and urging EU institutions to act together in delivering practical solutions. Harghita County, he affirmed, stands ready to contribute to this European effort.
The event, organised by OIKOS and Legados, brought together policymakers, researchers and stakeholders, including representatives from the European Parliament, FACE, and national hunting organisations, to discuss the economic and environmental role of hunting in Europe.