The associations Friends of Animals, Green Action and Greenpeace have warned that the chicken megafarm in Veliki Pažut could threaten the Mur-Drava-Danube UNESCO biosphere reserve. The farm is planned to house 1.8 million chickens annually.
At a protest outside the farm entrance, concerns were raised regarding waste management. Residents of nearby settlements have complained about the unbearable odour, which they say spreads up to two kilometres from the farm.
The president of Green Action, Dora Sivka, stated that the farm is one of 24 planned megafarms and slaughterhouses in the four counties, against which civil initiatives have been fighting for two years. She highlighted the potential pollution of soil, air and watercourses. She also noted that existing environmental impact assessments do not adequately account for the long-term consequences, including the accumulation of nitrates, phosphates, antibiotics and animal waste.
Kristina Pong from the civil initiative Legrad–Donja Dubrava stressed that the cross-border impact of the farm must be assessed. The farm is located less than two kilometres from the Hungarian Duna-Drava National Park.
The president of Friends of Animals, Luka Oman, addressed the issue of animal welfare in such farming systems.
All together, they stressed that the farm does not yet have an operating permit. They also stated that they would continue to monitor its operations and demand transparency in documentation and effective supervisory oversight.
