“The current meat and milk crisis will get worse”

Cem YILDIRIM/ANKARA

CHP Manisa MP and Member of the Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Commission Bekir Başevirgen said that agriculture and animal husbandry is the main occupation in 11 provinces that experienced earthquake disasters.

Başevirgen said: “We have more than 2 million head of cattle and more than 10 million sheep and goats. We are talking about almost 15 percent of our total animal wealth. Unfortunately, the news from the region on agriculture and livestock is very bad. In addition to the large number of farm animals that perished under the dent, a large number of disabled cows, unable to care for or feed themselves or whose udders are blind from being milked, are sent to the slaughterhouse at a price well below breeding value. .”

Basevirgin said:

“First of all, it is not the correct approach for the Meat and Dairy Institution to calculate the yield and set a low slaughter price even in this case. For these provinces where seismic disasters were experienced, the weighting and efficiency criteria should be more flexible. It is important to protect our national wealth by supporting the care and feeding of animals that have not reached optimal slaughter weight. If necessary, the state should buy these animals from citizens for a reasonable price and send them to TİGEM companies, provided they comply with quarantine measures.

THE MEAT AND MILK CRISIS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW

There are breaks in the food and milk supply chains. The great crisis experienced both in the number of animals and in milk production last year will deepen with this disaster, and unfortunately there will be large declines in milk and meat yields in 2023. When the decrease in supply is coupled with the decrease in the purchasing power of citizens, unfortunately, a major crisis is coming this year in the livestock sector. For this reason, in addition to the urgent measures to be taken for the disaster zone, the necessary measures must be taken within the country in advance. We should get through this process with less damage by organizing the relevant ministries and farmers’ and ranchers’ organizations.

WE CANNOT LEAVE FARMERS AT THE MERCY OF THE OPPORTUNISTS

In the regions affected by the earthquake, the number of small family-type businesses is quite high. There are people who resist the cold, loneliness and despair despite the fact that their stable is destroyed or they do not have enough food to not sell the remaining 3-5 animals at no cost. We have to support these peasants, who have already been destroyed by the pain of their families. We must not leave them at the mercy of those who are opportunistic and quote between 10 and 15 thousand liras for cows that are worth between 30 and 40 thousand liras”.

CHP Başevirgen listed other measures to be taken as follows:

*Destroyed houses, barns, food stores, as well as; We have many farm businesses whose farm tools and equipment have become unusable. Therefore, it is necessary to act very quickly in the detection and solution of the problems that are experienced or may be experienced in plant production. None of our farmers’ seeds or crops should go to waste. In this context, the amount of support of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and diesel must be increased and delivered without interruption. Machinery equipment support with zero interest credit or semi-donation should be given to those whose tractor and machine equipment are damaged or unusable.

*Despite all the difficulties, it is very important that vaccination studies necessary to treat animals and protect them from infectious diseases are not interrupted. On the other hand, food support and other necessary support should also cover all domestic or stray animals.

*BAĞ-KUR and SSK premium debts of our farmers should be postponed; The debts with the State, the banks and the Agricultural Credit must be restructured without delay. Our farmers, who cannot use loans due to their debts, should have the facility to meet their cash needs.

* The interests of the legal persons of the Agricultural Cooperatives and the debts of their partners with the State must be eliminated and postponed. If possible, these debts that have not been paid for almost 20 years should be forgiven.

* Most importantly, lessons must be learned from this disaster and construction on farmland, including agricultural businesses, must not be allowed again.

It is true that we have experienced a great disaster. While tens of thousands of our lives have been lost, our eyes do not see our lost material and moral losses. But our earthquake survivors will have to start life again from somewhere. For this reason, as a State, we must heal the wounds as soon as possible and ensure the goods and work of our people.