The Slovak government has approved plans to sell meat from culled brown bears, a protected species in the EU, in response to increasing bear attacks. Critics, including conservationists and opposition politicians, argue that the culling is reckless and fails to address the root causes of bear encounters. The government claims that bear overpopulation is the issue, while environmentalists advocate for preventive measures instead. Bear meat is considered a delicacy in some regions but poses health risks due to potential parasites.