The sacrificial animals were discussed at the ATB
The Chamber of Commerce held a sectoral analysis meeting prior to Eid al-Adha to discuss the issues and suggested solutions in livestock and red meat trade.
The meeting, chaired by Halil Bülbül, the Vice President of the Antalya Chamber of Commerce, was attended by Osman Yardımcı, President of the Federation of Butchers of Turkey; Nazif Alp, President of the Agricultural Chamber; Sedat Özdilek, Vice President of Kumluca Chamber of Commerce; Zeliha Öztürk, President of Antalya Sheep and Goat Breeders Association; Özlem Çağırıcı Armut, Head of Animal Health Department at the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry; Ufuk İngeç, Chairman of the 5th Professional Committee of ATB; committee members, and industry stakeholders. Vice President Halil Bülbül noted that the Chamber organizes these sectoral analysis meetings every year before Eid al-Adha to assess the developments and significant issues in the livestock sector.
No shortage of sacrificial animals in Antalya
Bülbül stated, "As the Antalya Chamber of Commerce, we operate with an approach that follows the developments in the agriculture and livestock sectors through our professional committees and considers the needs of our sector. We will share the discussed topics, problems, and requests with the relevant institutions." Özlem Çağırıcı Armut, Head of Animal Health at the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, reported that there is no shortage of animals in Antalya, and there will also be no shortage in the supply of sacrificial animals. Armut noted that it is anticipated that 190,000 small and 15,000 large animals will be slaughtered this Eid al-Adha in Antalya, with 65 designated selling points, and that inspections of slaughtering areas are ongoing.
"Meat is the least price-increased product in Turkey"
Highlighting the decreasing livestock numbers every year, Osman Yardımcı, President of the Federation of Butchers of Turkey, said, "In an era when imported meat arrives, a breeder who sells his animal does not replace it. We need to look at what we will produce first and how we will support the feeders. Currently, buying animals from abroad is more profitable than raising them." Yardımcı criticized those who bring meat at lower prices than the government's set price, calling them "meat barons," and said, "They lower the meat prices today and raise them tomorrow. They bought thousands of animals." Urging support for breeders, Yardımcı stated, "Breeding is disappearing; if breeding ends, we will be dependent on the outside, we will buy animals for 5 lira that cost 1 lira." He mentioned that the price of meat is not high, "Meat is the least price-increased product in Turkey. While basic food items have seen a 300% increase, meat has only gone up by 100%."
"One-third of those who sacrificed last year will not do so this year"
Nazif Alp, President of the Agricultural Chamber, said that 30% of those who sacrificed last year will not be able to do so this year. Alp stated, "There will be no shortage of sacrificial animals because the number of slaughters will decrease." He emphasized the importance of family farming in livestock, saying, "If we abandon family farming, livestock cannot continue. The water is muddy. We are fishing in muddy waters. We are left to our own devices in both agriculture and livestock." Zeliha Öztürk, President of the Sheep and Goat Breeders Association, said that this year the number of sacrificial animals is sufficient, but expressed concerns about whether the same people will be in the system with the same number of sacrifices next year.
"Our livestock policy must include native animals"
Öztürk, feeling the impact of the climate crisis even in the highlands grazed by small livestock, noted, "We have 800 highlands, and 400 have been accessed. Our friends who go up to the highlands are checking the snow pits. In the past, the snow pits used to be full; this year, they are barely noticeable. We cannot overcome the climate crisis with any animals other than our native ones. Our livestock policy must definitely include our native small livestock. Also, we are a water-poor country, we do not have enough water to irrigate the feed consumed by large livestock. The foundation of small livestock is family businesses, and both are disappearing. In our culture, it's said that if the son does not herd and the daughter-in-law does not milk, then sheep are just for play. Now the son does not herd, and the daughter-in-law does not milk."
"Those who went to the city never returned"
Sedat Özdilek, Vice President of Kumluca Chamber of Commerce, mentioned that the number of small livestock, which was quite high in the Western Mediterranean in past years, is decreasing day by day. "First, they banned the forest areas. Those who sold their animals went to the city, and those who came to the city never returned. Livestock is ending like this," he said. The participants of the meeting complained about high input costs, especially feed, while the supports were insufficient and the supports given to people outside the sector did not achieve their purpose. The participants stated that the feed shortage could be closed by turning to drought-resistant plant production.
