Ministry of Agriculture Establishes Animal Inspection Network in Eight Provinces
· mansethaber.com
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has expanded its inspection network by opening its 6th veterinary control station in Riva, as part of its fight against infectious diseases. A total of 36 million Turkish Lira in administrative fines were imposed on transporters who violated regulations at the control points.
Road Control Network for Animal Shipments is Expanding
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry continues to expand its strategic road inspection network to prevent the spread of infectious animal diseases. The Marmara Veterinary Road Control and Inspection Station, established in the Riva Live Animal Shipment Control Point area, was officially put into operation. Speaking at the opening, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced that Istanbul's central station is now operational, following those in Erzurum, Elazig, Kayseri, Cankiri, and Ankara. Emphasizing that the 6th link in the network has been completed, Minister Yumaklı stated that the remaining 2 stations will be established in the provinces of Canakkale and Mersin in the near future.
Heavy Sanctions for Non-Compliance During Inspections
According to ministry data, inspections have been continuously carried out at the 5 previously opened centers, with 48,853 vehicles and 7.5 million live animals inspected to date. Veterinary controls identified violations of regulations in 2,204 vehicles and 22,817 animals. Minister İbrahim Yumaklı stated that a total of 36 million Turkish Lira in administrative fines were imposed on transporters who attempted to evade the control points established to prevent illegal animal transport, emphasizing that unauthorized and unhealthy animal movement will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Thrace's Disease-Free Status is Protected, and Production is Increasing
The inspection station in Istanbul will serve as a strategic protection shield due to its location on the transit route from Anatolia to Thrace. This status of Thrace and the European side of Istanbul, recognized as a vaccinated-free region for Foot and Mouth Disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health, will be meticulously preserved. Minister Yumaklı recalled that within the scope of the livestock roadmap, a 7.7% increase in cattle population and a 16% increase in small ruminant population have been achieved. He also announced that starting this year, farmers will not be charged for vaccination and ear tag fees, and support for calf and lamb losses will continue.
| Value | Period | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 8 units | — | Target number of stations |
| 6 units | — | Number of active stations |
| 48,853 units | — | Number of inspected vehicles |
| 7.5 million heads | — | Number of livestock inspected |
| 2,204 units | — | Number of vehicles with detected non-compliance |
| 22,817 heads | — | Number of livestock with detected non-compliance |
| 36 million TL | — | Amount of administrative sanctions applied |
| 7.7% | 2024 | Cattle population growth rate |
| 16% | 2024 | Sheep and goat population growth rate |