The Minister of the Environment has explained his controversial statement made about hunting protected species in Poland. A few days ago, during a campaign meeting with voters in the city of Mława, Henryk Kowalczyk said "we are living in times of over-sensitivity in the protection of animals". In addition, he assured that the protected status for animals would not be lifted in order to avoid conflict with the EU. He explained that it is better to take small steps, but decisive ones. That means, to grant permission for every application concerning the reduction of protected species. Now, he claims that such licenses are only issued in drastic situations.