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Polish Environment Minister: Too Many Species Are Protected

by Associated Press

   Poland's environment minister says he favors reducing the number of
   protected species but that it isn't easy because this is an age of
   "excessive sensitivity to animal protection."
   Henryk Kowalczyk also said the government won't suddenly remove
   protected status from animals "because there will be a conflict with
   Europe, with everyone."

   He said, "it is better to do it in small steps, and effectively, that
   is, agreeing to any proposal to reduce these protected species of
   animals."
   Kowalczyk made his remarks during a meeting Sunday with residents in
   the northern town of Mlawa, but they were only reported broadly in
   Polish media a few days later.
   A local councilor had thanked Kowalczyk for easing restrictions on boar
   hunting and asked about plans for other "burdensome" animals like
   beavers and moose.