Erdoğan's 'red meat' statement: We have investigated the artificial increases!

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture Advisory Board Meeting held at ATO Congresium for the May 14 World Farmers' Day.

Arguing that agricultural policies are being devalued, Erdoğan said, "Saying that agriculture is finished in Turkey is a sign of ignorance and ill intent." 

THERE ARE ARTIFICIAL INCREASES

Speaking about the increases in red and white meat prices, Erdoğan said, "We have researched and investigated the artificial increases in red and white meat prices in the recent period. In sudden price increases, there is opportunism rather than market conditions. We will definitely hold those who eye the nation's food, bread, and the morsel in their throat accountable," he stated. 

Erdoğan announced that new support policies for the agriculture and livestock sector will be put into effect. 

Highlights from Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

"My dear farmer brothers and sisters, esteemed participants, ladies and gentlemen, I greet you with my most heartfelt feelings. Through you, I send my love and respect to my brothers and sisters who till the soil. I remember the master name of Turkish theater, Ayten Gökçer, with mercy. I offer my condolences to our art community.

I thank our Ministry of Agriculture and the Union of Chambers of Agriculture for bringing our hearts together. I congratulate our farmers, who water the soil with their sweat, on World Farmers' Day. I wish our farmers a fruitful year. I thank our farmer brothers and sisters for their efforts. May God be pleased with you. May God not let my nation experience your absence. We are also grateful for their support for our democracy. Farmers were at the forefront of those who stepped forward on July 15. While some were running to ATMs, my farmer brothers and sisters set their 1-year harvest on fire. We will not forget the patriotism of our farmers who resisted the coup-plotting traitors with all the means at their disposal."

"OUR AGRICULTURAL POLICY IS BEING ATTEMPTED TO BE DEVALUED"

''We fought together to save Turkey from all kinds of tutelage. We have brought our country to levels that could not even be imagined in production and exports. We will build the Century of Turkey shoulder to shoulder with our farmers again. Almighty Allah created us from the soil. We sustain our lives with the blessings we obtain from it.

Turkey's agricultural policy is being attempted to be devalued. This claim is an insult to the efforts of our farmers. Saying that agriculture is finished in Turkey is a sign of not only ignorance but also ill intent. 

It is possible to say that agricultural data clearly reveals where our country has come in the last 21 years. We are in first place in the world by a wide margin in hazelnut, fig, cherry, and apricot production. We are in fourth place in the world in vegetable production. We have increased our agricultural output to 69.2 billion dollars.''

"THERE IS OPPORTUNISM RATHER THAN MARKET CONDITIONS IN PRICE INCREASES"

''We cannot and will not sacrifice the determined struggle we are waging against inflation and the high cost of living to the price games of a few greedy people. We have researched and investigated the artificial increases in red and white meat prices in the recent period. In sudden price increases, there is opportunism rather than market conditions. We will definitely hold those who eye the nation's food, bread, and the morsel in their throat accountable.

We will ensure the transition to planned agricultural production. By registering all areas where agriculture is practiced, we will increase the number of farmers benefiting from support. We are also putting into effect new policies that will resolve complaints in livestock farming."