Europe's largest organisations representing rural residents and land managers have drafted and published a joint statement on large carnivores, which is also being supported by FACE.

The hunting community has a complex relationship with the conflict situations between rural residents and carnivores because, as is well known, hunters have for some time been excluded from decision-making, contrary to previous successful practices where carnivore populations were managed and monitored effectively. The consequences of sidelining hunters are now visible: carnivore density is increasing, and interactions with rural residents are becoming varied. Mere calls to protect carnivores 'the stronger, the better' do not correlate at all with the lack of concrete and understandable conservation goals. There is only a desire to protect without considering the consequences, and without regard for the needs of rural inhabitants and communities. This attitude has created a situation where large carnivores are gradually becoming a source of fear for local people. A long-term and clear conservation and protection plan is needed, along with active, flexible management of carnivore populations that is coordinated with local stakeholders.