1. 1 Role of the RDP 2007-2013 in minimising conflicts between large carnivores and farming Janez Kastelic Ministrstvo za okolje in prostor (Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, Slovenia) janez.kastelic@gov.si

2. 2 http://www.ours.ecologie.gouv.fr/html/_3_.php Past and present distribution of the brown bear in Europe

3. 3 Spatial extension 1976 - 1995  Till 18th century abundant species  At the beginning of 20th cent. there were 30 – 40 bears in Slovenia (estimation  1940 – about 80 bears (estimation)  Present situation: 500 - 700 bears (monitoring)

4. 4 NATURA 2000 in Slovenia SPA - 26 sites (22,8 %) pSCI - 260 sites (31,6 %) Total - 35, 5 % 9 % above 900 m 70 % forests

5. 5

6. 6 2.380 km2 – 12 % DE – 0,7 %! FR – 0,4 %! NATURA 2000 in Slovenia

7. 7 Brown bear (Ursus arctos) Management Strategy in Slovenia (2002) The aims of the strategy are: * long-term conservation of the brown bear species in Slovenia, including its habitat * ensuring coexistence of humans and bears.

8. 8 Brown bear (Ursus arctos) Management Strategy in Slovenia (2002) Brown bear Strategy Habitats directive Rural development plan 2007-2013 Long-term conservation of the brown bear species in Slovenia, including its habitat Ensuring coexistence of humans and bears

9. 9 Conflicts in landscape direct attacks (very rare, 1-2 each year) conflicts in agricultural areas sheep and goats beehives orchards… contacts with people local people (in villages, forest works) tourists (hikers, mushroom collectors, bikers)

10. 10 Management measures  Population management measures  RDP measures  Preventive measures  Compensation system  Intervention group  Public awareness

11. 11 Habitat directive  Population management measures – monitoring – population control (spatial, age, sex, condition) – strictly controlled encroachment – translocation (from urban areas to core areas) – feeding (controversial issue)

12. 12 CAP measures Single farm payment LFA payments Agri-environment payments for grasslands Animal husbandry in the central areas of appearance of large carnivores

13. 13 Habitat directive objectives Conservation of large carnivores assure favorable conservation status maintain habitat Grassland species and habitat types maintain grasslands (mainly pastures) stop natural succession (afforestation) This is achievable with grazing (sheep, cow, horse,…). This is achievable with close to nature and sustainable forest management

14. 14 Compensation system Nature Conservation Act provide the right to compensation define that estimation of damage is made by SFS MESP, EARS makes the final decision on whether the damage must be compensated or not Wild Game and Hunting Act define compensation procedure Instructions of MESP defines correct treatment forms (protocol, agreement, application) pay scale (statistical data, expert opinion)

15. 15 Role of the RDP 2007-2013 in minimising conflicts between large carnivores and farming Measures under the RDP: enables achieving the coexisting between human and large carnivores assuring FCS for grassland species and habitat types are suitable tool for compensation of higher production cost farming in large carnivores area can significantly contribute to stop negative demographic trends in line with brown bear strategy such measures contributes to sustainable development of landscape and conservation of large carnivores

16. 16 More information http://www.mop.gov.si/en/areas_of_work/environment_directorate/sek tor_za_politiko_ohranjanja_narave/large_carnivores_in_slovenia /

17. 17 Thank you for your attention