Bosnia and Herzegovina lacks federal forest law for two decades

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has lacked a comprehensive forest law for nearly two decades, despite repeated promises from successive governments. Kemal Hrnjić, the Minister of Agriculture, Water Management, and Forestry of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated that the absence of a federal law has created a state of anarchy in the sector.

While nine cantons have their own specific forest laws, the lack of a central regulatory framework prevents the federal minister from making decisions regarding forest protection. This regulatory vacuum has contributed to issues such as illegal logging and inadequate responses to forest fires.

In the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, the situation is exacerbated by political disputes between the SDA and HDZ parties over the management and control of forest resources. Hrnjić noted that the lack of legal clarity has led to conflicts between enterprises and a failure to implement necessary reforestation and criminal policy measures.