Farmers fume as France announces more bears for the Pyrenees
Dozens of farmers and lawmakers stormed out of a meeting Thursday with
France's new environment minister after he confirmed that two more bears
would soon be released into the Pyrenees mountains.
Some 40 brown bears currently roam the range between France and Spain
after France began importing them from Slovenia in 1996 after the native
population had been hunted to near-extinction.
The latest move to increase their numbers infuriated farmers who have
long complained about the predators killing sheep and other livestock.
The addition of two more females was announced by former environment
minister Nicolas Hulot last March as part of a 10-year "Bear Plan" to
increase their numbers to some 50 sexually mature bears.
Opponents had been hoping that following Hulot's shock resignation last
month -- he accused President Emmanuel Macron's government of
insufficient action on green causes -- his successor might roll back the
plan.
But Francois de Rugy, after meeting with around 60 farmers and lawmakers
in the southwestern city of Pau, told journalists the bears would be
released "by early October".
The news prompted most of the participants at the meeting to walk out shortly after it started.
"What good is talking if the decision has already been made? We left,"
said Etienne Serna, the mayor of Aramits who acts as spokesman for an
anti-bear association.
Meanwhile, around 200 shepherds and farmers who had refused to meet with
Rugy held a protest in Asasp-Arros, a neighbouring village at the foot
of the Pyrenees.
"Using all possible means, we will refuse the re-introduction of bears
on our land, where they have no place," said Olivier Maurin, president
of a local anti-bear group.
"And if we need weapons and rifles to make sure Francois de Rugy hears
us, we'll use them," he said next to a teddy bear hanging from a noose
with the words "Wanted: Dead or Toothless".
Police appeared to take the threat seriously, setting up roadblocks to the village and searching vehicles.
Environmental activists say the bears are necessary for ensuring the
region's biodiversity, and point to recent elections of pro-bear mayors
in several towns, despite the loss of hundreds of sheep and other
livestock each year.
The government compensates farmers for any livestock deaths from bear attacks
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