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Carrion law robs vultures and bears |
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Wednesday, 09 April 2008 |
Two environmental associations in Spain, Euronatur and Fapas, claim that an EU law is depriving bears, eagles and vultures. Under the well-meaning anti-BSE Brussels regulation 1774/2002, farmers must bring dead animals to special incinerators and not leave them to rot in the open. The associations have written to Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas asking for the rules to be relaxed.
In the past, animals in the mountains were left lying where they had died. Their carcases were an important supplement to wildlife diet, particularly Spanish bears just before hibernation. As a secondary effect, eagles and vultures are turning up unexpectedly in neighbouring countries. Flocks of vultures have been seen in Germany, France and even Belgium. Worse, the food shortage has caused bears to attack domestic animals. So far there has been no answer from Brussels.
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