It's known exactly who's doing what in every field in Serbia: 4,913 images, draconian penalties

Exclusive image showing one of the fields where fire has been started/Photo: minpolj.gov.rs

Fields set on fire are a common sight across Serbia these days, while stubble burning has recently claimed another victim. In addition to being dangerous, the burning of stubble is extremely damaging to the soil itself. Such land treatment increases production costs in the long run because it impoverishes the soil.

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The state has this time decided to deal with irresponsible farmers - satellites have photographed everything. As confirmed by the relevant ministry for Telegraf Biznis, it is known exactly what is being done in every field in Serbia.

Namely, based on satellite images from the European Satellite Agency, it's known reliably which plots of land have been set on fire in the past period.

We bring you exclusive details of exactly how many plots have already been photographed, what the penalties will be, as well as a photo of one stubble field set on fire.

What kind of footage is it?

"Sentinel-2 is an EU Earth observation mission from the EU Copernicus program that systematically obtains high spatial resolution (10 m to 60 m) optical imaging over land and coastal waters. The mission is a constellation of two satellites (Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B) and supports a wide range of services and applications including agricultural monitoring. By using tools to detect the burning of sowing remains, as well as validation of the obtained data in the field, it's possible to detect the occurrence of the burning of sowing remains," the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management told Telegraf Biznis.

Almost 5,000 plots photographed in Vojvodina alone

Photo: Tanjug/Jaroslav Pap

The data submitted so far to the Agricultural Land Administration starting from the end of August 2019, which concerns the territory of Vojvodina, has been sent for further verification and action to local self-government units.

In the territory of Vojvodina, the total number of plots where harvest residues have been set on fire is 4,913, we were told in the Ministry.

Also, new periodic reports submitted to the Directorate during the fall will be forwarded as soon as possible to local self-government units for further jurisdiction.

Draconian penalties for farmers, they'll lose the right to assistance

As we have been told, the aim of this project is to identify and sanction persons who burn harvest residues on state-owned agricultural land in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, while the entire procedure represents assistance by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management to local self-government units in performing activities that are entrusted to them by the Agricultural Land Law.

"This campaign, among other things, aims at identifying the areas of municipalities and cities where the burning of harvest residues is most common, so that local self-government units can act preventively, that is, take all measures within the scope of their work in order to protect against the practice," the Ministry said.

They also revealed that the Agricultural Land Law envisages fines from 100,000 to 1,000,000 dinars for violation committed by a company or other legal entity if, among other things, they burns organic residues after the harvest or causes damage to the fields. Fines range from 5,000 to 50,000 dinars for the responsible person in a company or other legal entity, as well as the owner or user of agricultural land - the physical entity.

Also, persons identified as committing this violation will have their farms switched to a passive status, which will result in their inability to receive incentives for the duration of the passive status.

(Vesna Bjelic/v.bjelic@telegraf.rs)