- by croatiaweek
- February 21, 2026
-
in
News
Several thousand people gathered in Zagreb on Saturday to protest against the planned construction of large-scale industrial poultry farms and slaughterhouses in Sisak-Moslavina County.
The protest, organised by environmental group Zelena akcija and animal rights organisation Prijatelji životinja, was supported by civic initiatives “Siščani ne žele biti Smetlišćani” and “Sunjani ne žele biti smuljani”.
Demonstrators voiced strong opposition to what they describe as harmful and unsustainable investment projects that threaten local communities, agriculture and the environment.
Behind the projects is capital from Ukraine. The main investor in the majority of the developments is Premium Chicken Company, a company registered in Croatia which has already purchased land in Sisak-Moslavina County.
The company is ownership-linked to Renaissance Capital, whose owner is a Ukrainian national. The total value of the planned investment exceeds €600 million, organisers said.
According to project documentation cited by organisers, one of the two investors states that the maximum annual capacity of its project would reach an estimated 84.2 million chickens per year.
The same investor reportedly outlines a “maximum” slaughter rate of 15,000 chickens per hour, operating 16 hours a day.
When factoring in both investors and all announced plans, opponents claim the total capacity could rise to as many as 270 million chickens annually, with slaughter figures potentially reaching 30,000 chickens per hour.
Protesters argue that even significantly smaller-scale operations would pose serious long-term environmental and social risks to any regional community, let alone developments of this magnitude.
Organisers warn of what they describe as “enormous and unstoppable pollution”, highlighting potential negative impacts on air quality, water resources, soil and public health.
They also raised concerns about animal welfare and the long-term sustainability of intensive industrial farming models.
The protest message stressed that Croatian citizens and authorities have the right to defend their communities and reject projects they believe are detrimental to their future.
According to organisers, local residents in Sisak-Moslavina County have already expressed their opposition through petitions and smaller local demonstrations. A new petition and the large turnout in Zagreb, they say, further confirm public resistance to the plans.
The protest in the capital reflects a widening national debate about foreign investment, environmental protection and the direction of agricultural development in Croatia.
