# Croatian agricultural wildlife management dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/croatian-agricultural-wildlife-management-dispute
> Updated: 2026-10-03T11:43:09.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

The Croatian Chamber of Agriculture (HPK) has called for specific protections within a new Hunting Law to prevent the costs of inadequate wildlife management from being transferred to farmers. HPK President Željko Mihelić argued that farmers should not be forced to act as “parcel guards, fence maintainers, and financiers of wildlife protection” while attempting to produce food.

Following these calls for legislative reform, the former president of the HPK, Darko Grivičić, was arrested on suspicion of illegal hunting and fishing. According to the Brod-Posavina Police Administration, the 55-year-old was apprehended in the Stara Gradiška municipality on October 1. Authorities allege Grivičić used a hunting weapon without authorization to kill wildlife located in an illegally placed metal trap. Police also reported that he was transporting a weapon with a loaded magazine without a valid permit. His weapons and ammunition have been seized, and criminal charges have been filed with the Municipal State Prosecutor's Office in Slavonski Brod.

While the HPK expressed regret over the arrest, the organization maintained that the incident underscores the ongoing frustration regarding crop destruction caused by wild animals. President Mihelić stated that while the Chamber does not justify breaking the law, they understand the frustration of farmers facing “massive crop destruction from wild boar.” The Chamber noted that Grivičić’s own family had previously reported significant losses due to wildlife, and they continue to advocate for legislative changes to protect agricultural production.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-03: Darko Grivičić arrested for suspected illegal hunting

Former Croatian Agricultural Chamber president Darko Grivičić was arrested for illegal hunting in Stara Gradiška, sparking debate over inadequate state protection for farmers against wildlife damage.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/darko-grivii-former-head-of-croatian-chamber-of-agriculture-arrested

### 2026-09-28: Croatian Chamber of Agriculture seeks protections in new Hunting Law

The Croatian Chamber of Agriculture is urging the government to ensure the new Hunting Law protects agricultural production and prevents farmers from bearing the costs of wildlife management.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-chamber-of-agriculture-seeks-protections-in-new-hunting-law

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Cite as: Croatian agricultural wildlife management dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/croatian-agricultural-wildlife-management-dispute