# Forestry regulatory issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/forestry-regulatory-issues-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina
> Updated: 2026-09-02T05:04:45.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has operated without a comprehensive federal forest law for nearly twenty years. Minister of Agriculture, Water Management, and Forestry Kemal Hrnjić stated that this absence has created a “state of anarchy in the sector.”

While nine cantons maintain their own specific regulations, the lack of a central framework prevents federal decision-making regarding forest protection. This regulatory vacuum has contributed to illegal logging and hindered responses to forest fires. In the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, political disputes between the SDA and HDZ parties over resource management have further complicated the situation, leading to conflicts between enterprises and a failure to implement reforestation or criminal policy measures. Despite repeated promises from successive governments, the lack of legal clarity persists.

## Claims

- The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina is problematizing the veto power of the Presidency member from Republika Srpska. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Nenad Stevandić suggests there may be external support for these actions, though he excludes the US, Russia, and China. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The National Assembly of Republika Srpska stated it may change its political discourse if the Constitutional Court does not reject the appeal. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Denis Bećirović's request to the Constitutional Court concerns a dispute with Željka Cvijanović and the National Assembly of Republika Srpska regarding the appointment of national monuments commission (corroborated by 5 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Republika Srpska leader calls Constitutional Court ruling a 'declaration of war

Republika Srpska leader Nenad Stevandić called the Constitutional Court of BiH's review of the entity's veto power a 'declaration of war,' citing threats to the constitutional order.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-and-herzegovina-faces-ongoing-division-and-political-instability

### 2026-08-31: Bosnia and Herzegovina lacks federal forest law for two decades

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has lacked a federal forest law for nearly 20 years, leading to illegal logging and regulatory anarchy due to political disputes and fragmented cantonal rules.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-and-herzegovina-lacks-federal-forest-law-for-two-decades

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Cite as: Forestry regulatory issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/forestry-regulatory-issues-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina