Gospić citizens present illegal waste concerns to European Parliament

Representatives of the “Gospić je naš dom” civic initiative addressed the European Parliament Committee on Petitions in Brussels regarding the illegal dumping of waste in Gospić, Croatia. Vjekoslav Bušić, speaking on behalf of the initiative, presented findings concerning approximately 44,000 tons of waste in the area, of which more than 33,000 tons is classified as hazardous material buried in karst soil.

Bušić reported that recent analyses revealed PFAS compound concentrations in private wells at levels seven times higher than permitted. He further noted that levels of antimony exceeded maximum allowed values by 700 times. The initiative is requesting that the Committee keep their petition open pending reasoned responses from the European Commission and relevant Croatian authorities.

Bušić alleged that the state was aware of the hazardous nature of the waste as early as April 2024, following inspections by the State Inspectorate, but failed to warn citizens or take necessary protective measures. He cited violations of the Environmental Liability Directive and the Waste Directive, as well as rights to health and information guaranteed by the Croatian Constitution and the Aarhus Convention.