Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumaklı emphasized that any product returned to Turkey for any reason cannot be sold in the domestic market. Speaking on NTV, Yumaklı stated that inspections regarding exorbitant prices are ongoing. Minister Yumaklı announced that inspections related to street animals in municipalities will start very soon.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumaklı answered questions on current issues in a live broadcast on NTV. Key points from Minister Yumaklı’s statements are as follows:

COMBATING EXORBITANT PRICES

As three ministries, we closely monitor price movements in the market. We are not questioning anyone’s reasonable profit, but the issue at hand is about exorbitant prices… If a product costing 1 lira is sold to consumers for 10 lira, then there is a problem. Last month, we held a meeting with all food retailers in Turkey, where all three ministries were present. We are active in the field, including the institutions responsible for regulatory duties.

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN MEAT

There is no price increase in the supply of red meat in our country. There have been speculative attempts to increase prices. The Meat and Milk Institution is fulfilling its market regulation duty. Exorbitant prices are not acceptable to our government and ministries. This issue will be continuously monitored, not just for a specific period.

COMBATING COUNTERFEITING AND ADULTERATION

More than 8,000 of our colleagues are conducting inspections in the field and this number has reached 1.3 million, resulting in approximately 1.5 billion liras in administrative fines and over 600 companies facing criminal complaints.

PESTICIDE ISSUE IN FOODS

Any product returned to Turkey for any reason cannot be sold in the domestic market. Everyone would have to turn a blind eye to allow this. Returned products are destroyed before passing through customs. Pesticide use has become somewhat mandatory in recent times, and this is a worldwide practice. Pesticide use in European countries is significantly higher than in Turkey…In Turkey, there is 2.3 kilograms of pesticide use compared to 3.2 kilograms in European countries.

Products are not only inspected for export; checks for pesticides are also carried out in the places of production, packaging facilities, and markets. Any oversight is addressed through consumer awareness and evaluating all notifications we receive.

I want to emphasize that the perception that “they are presented to our consumption” is not correct.

HOW DID RAINFALL AFFECT THE DAMS?

We experienced weak rainfall during most of the winter period, and the impact of the last 15 days will be realized. However, it is not possible to predict the effect on dams today; we will see the benefit of this from March to June.

COMBATING FOREST FIRES

Information was provided to all villages regarding forest fires. Since the beginning of the year, we started taking necessary measures, conducting information sessions, training, and identifying equipment shortages. To avoid feeling the absence of retired colleagues and facilitate the use of newly acquired equipment, we decided to include 8,500 new colleagues.

REGULATION OF STREET ANIMALS

Most of our municipalities have started taking steps on this issue. It may not be completed by 2028, the deadline for the establishment and improvement of animal shelters. By 2025, municipalities must allocate funds as required by the law and begin construction, this is their duty. The law was enacted with the consensus of all parties. It is imperative for our municipalities to fulfill their responsibilities. We will start inspections in municipalities very soon.