An ecological incident in Bijeljina, where bags filled with animal waste from dead animals were found and identified by ear tags, raised many questions about the existence of a systemic solution for animal waste disposal in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who controls its path from the farm to final destruction, and to what extent citizens, animals, and the environment are exposed to danger.
Everyday Reality in the Area of Bijeljina
This is not a scene from a horror movie. This is the everyday reality in the area of Bijeljina. Only a few kilometers from homes, fields, and farms, dead animals are dumped by the roadside. There is no supervision, no control, and no responsibility. According to citizens, such scenes are not the exception, but the rule.
Shortage of Animal Waste Disposal Sites
“Semberija is an agricultural area where people keep livestock, and that is a big problem. In our village, dead pigs or calves are occasionally dumped by the roadside. There is no adequate site for this waste. People dispose of animal waste in the Drina River and gutters, which is a serious issue,” said Milan Savić, a local farmer.
An alarm was raised a few days ago when in one neighborhood of Bijeljina, multiple bags filled with animal waste were found. Ear tags with identification numbers enabled authorities to trace the fields and rendering plants in the area of Bosnia and Herzegovina, more precisely in the Bijeljina area, where the waste originated. Criminal complaints were filed against the responsible individuals.
Risks of Reckless Waste Disposal
“In the area of Semberija, due to incidental cases, dozens of large animals die every day and are dumped at illegal sites. Dangers are great, starting from zoonotic disease. The second danger is environmental pollution – water, soil, including the fact that decay spreads intolerable smell, poisonous gas, ammonia, and hydrogen-sulphide. I believe you have seen waste disposal sites and that it is chaotic wherever you look,” explained Slaviša Cacanović, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
“What we are hearing are lies from the Assistant Minister of Agriculture claiming that Bijeljina is the problem. I can say with certainty that there is no adequate chain for animal waste disposal anywhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Possible solutions such as incineration plants, pet food production, and other methods of managing this type of waste do not exist in Republika Srpska,” said Ljubiša Petrović, Mayor of Bijeljina (SDS – Social Democratic Party).
Temporary Solutions and Their Limits
Many believe that the best solution to the animal waste disposal problem would be the construction of a rendering plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a facility specialized in safe waste disposal and processing. Since such a system does not yet exist, some have found temporary solutions. The best example is the meat industry in Bijeljina which owns an incineration plant solely for its own production needs. However, this model, due to high costs and limited capacity, cannot be a long-term solution for the growing issue in Semberija.
“Our incineration plant uses oil as an energy source. Taking into consideration what is taking place with the energy sources, great quantities are necessary. The sole furnace has two burners: one in the main chamber and the other in the chimney, maintaining temperatures of 900°C in the furnace and 1100°C in the chimney. The startup costs alone are quite high. This is a forced, temporary solution, but rendering plants are key solution to solving these issues,” said Darko Marković, a representative of the meat industry company ZP Komerc.
There is no central place for animal waste disposal in Bijeljina.
“We are still using the archaic, old methods, mostly burial. In that case, the site must be adequately protected from access, neighboring sites, roads, and groundwater,” added Ljubiša Petrović.
Health Risks and Ineffective Control
Still, despite clearly defined biosecurity measures, they are rarely followed, which directly affects the health of both humans and animals.
“Dangers from zoonotic diseases are permanent. These diseases are constantly present. Our citizens have become complacent, but this threat is ongoing in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and nearby areas. In the past month anthrax and bird flu have broken out. These are zoonotic diseases, common to both humans and animals. We also have ongoing cases of brucellosis and Q fever,” said Cacanović.
The Law on Waste Management established obligations for proper waste disposal and environmental protection, but supervision is often ineffective, and sanctioning mechanisms are frequently slow or insufficient. Projects to establish a strategic animal by-products and waste management system at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including key facilities for safe disposal and processing, as well as plans for waste collection and transport have been the subject of international initiatives in the past. Yet, their long-term implementation remains slow and uncertain.
