Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumaklı, stated that they would eliminate the issue of red meat imports from the agenda of Turkey by 2028. Yumaklı, who attended the opening of the Çankırı Veterinary Road Control and Inspection Station, said that in the last 23 years, the livestock population increased by 71% to 17 million heads for large animals, 72% to 55 million heads for small animals, and by 55% to 380 million for poultry. Yumaklı pointed out that these figures indicated a minimum 2 to 4-fold increase in all animal productions. He stated, “When we look at the global scale of the large animal population, we rank 22nd worldwide and 2nd in Europe. In terms of small livestock, we are 7th globally and 1st in Europe. When it comes to beef production, we are 7th globally and 1st in Europe. For chicken meat production, we are 9th globally and 2nd in Europe. In egg production, we rank 10th globally and 2nd in Europe. And in honey production, we are 2nd globally and 1st in Europe.” Yumaklı emphasized that all countries in the world had their eyes on Turkey, saying, “We are an important producing country. Speaking of livestock production exports, compared to 2002, we have increased it by 14 times, reaching $3.5 billion in exports.” “WE PREVENTED THE EXORBITANT PRICE INCREASE IN RED MEAT” Yumaklı mentioned that adequacy in red meat reached 95%, indicating that the responsibility for regulating meat imports, held by the private sector for 14 years, transitioned to the Meat and Milk Institution by 2024. Yumaklı noted that with this regulation, they put an end to some monopolistic aspects and prevented exorbitant price increases. He stated, “Especially this year, there were no exorbitant price increases before each Ramadan month.” Yumaklı emphasized the importance of the measures taken to prevent exorbitant price increases, saying, “The Meat and Milk Institution increased the live animal stock during this period. Producer cooperatives, butchers, and breeders supported the process. The Ministry of Treasury and Finance, along with the Competition Authority, initiated necessary examinations regarding exorbitant price increases. I can say with all my sincerity and peace of mind that our country does not face any problem or issue with meat procurement this blessed day. There is no reason that necessitates a price increase. Why do we insist on this? Because we have achieved much more successful results in recent years, and there have been no exorbitant price increases at the beginning of this Ramadan month, contrary to some statements that give the incorrect impression that this has happened.” “OUR FINAL GOAL IN RED MEAT IS TO ELIMINATE IMPORTS FROM THE COUNTRY’S AGENDA” Yumaklı expressed that they needed to shape their visions, policies, and actions according to the increasing needs and these issues, saying, “We disclosed the livestock road map a year ago; we meet all elements of this roadmap for five years. The most important aspect of our roadmap was the Livestock Production Development Project in collaboration with the Meat and Milk Institution and the Animal Breeding General Directorate (TIGEM). I would like to point out that this project is progressing very successfully and will provide substantial benefits to all breeders and producers. This will also open the way for consumers to access products at reasonable prices. Another important issue was increasing the mother animal population and consequently increasing our production. Our President announced the Prosperity in Rural Areas, Support for Livestock Project. We received a significantly higher number of applications than our expectations with this project. I thank all breeders and producers who applied for this. Until 2028, we will meet their needs in the manner announced by our President, and as we mentioned, by 2028, our target year, we will have removed the issue of red meat imports from the country’s agenda, hopefully.” Yumaklı highlighted that the General Directorate of Food Control, along with all employees in the field organization, initiated serious actions to combat animal diseases that caused significant damage to the economy and hindered them from reaching their goals. “Preventing uncontrolled animal movements is one of those actions,” said Yumaklı. He stated, “In this respect, road control points were extremely important to facilitate the movement of healthy animals. We will open eight points at very crucial intersections nationwide. The first three were opened in Erzurum, Elazığ, and Ankara. The fourth, here today, is in Çankırı. I would like to mention that 11,682 of the 12,031 vehicles inspected at the 3 stations in operation were suitable, while 349 were unsuitable. Unfortunately, among the identified unsuitabilities, there were animals infected with rinderpest, and animals that escaped from supervision and quarantine zones with fake veterinary certificates. We have always said and will continue to say; we have zero tolerance on these issues.”