Smoke from charcoal site kills farmer's calves, he claims

A livestock farmer in Sivas, Turkey, is pleading for help after claiming that smoke from a nearby charcoal production facility has caused the deaths of nine of his calves. Hüseyin Şahin, 48, stated that the smoke emanating from the oak charcoal production site, located about 600 meters from his barn, has been detrimental to his animals. Şahin recounted that authorities who examined the deceased calves confirmed they were affected by the smoke. "They opened up the dead animals and saw they were affected by the smoke," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "We warned them, but they didn't listen. Nine of our calves died within five days. I don't even want to come to the barn." The farmer, who has 109 head of cattle, has filed complaints with the gendarmerie, the Forestry Directorate, and the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture. He has documented the death of each animal and is demanding the closure or relocation of the production site. Şahin claims to have suffered nearly 1.5 million Turkish Liras in damages and fears that another 20 animals are at risk. The headman of Yağbasan village, Gazi Yılmaz, supported Şahin's claims, emphasizing that the smoke affects not only the animals but also the village. "We need to take precautions. Not everything is about money; we must protect the health of living beings and nature first," Yılmaz stated, urging relevant authorities to find a solution.

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They opened up the dead animals and saw they were affected by the smoke. We warned them, but they didn't listen. Nine of our calves died within five days. I don't even want to come to the barn.