CHP's Karabat lists the rent-seeking system in meat imports point by point

CHP Istanbul MP Özgür Karabat pointed out that meat imports are having the opposite effect, causing prices to rise instead of fall. Karabat attributed this to a rent-seeking system and explained the mechanism behind meat imports one by one. In a parliamentary motion, Karabat also directed questions to Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı.

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CHP's Karabat lists the rent-seeking system in meat imports point by point

While Turkey's meat and milk production declines year by year, the AKP finds the solution in imports. CHP Istanbul MP Özgür Karabat, stating that a new rent-seeking system has been established in the increasing animal imports of recent years, pointed out that under normal conditions, imports should lower prices; however, on the contrary, meat prices are constantly rising.

Karabat spoke as follows:

“Some of the imported animals and carcass meat are not released to the market. Instead, they go directly to meat businesses close to the AKP. Let me explain the traffic to you. Live animals arriving at Bandırma Port go to the Sarıkız slaughterhouse in Balıkesir.

From there, they are given to a meatball chain that is also very close to the AKP. The traffic here reaches 1,500-2,000 animals per month. Some live animals go to a farm in Amasya Suluova and are slaughtered at a large meat integrated facility in that province and transferred to this meatball chain's restaurants.

There is also carcass meat coming from Europe by truck. The source countries for the live animals and meat arriving by truck are Hungary, Poland, France, and Italy. At one time, most came from Hungary; now they come from Poland. Every week, approximately 100 trucks of carcass meat enter through Kapıkule. Who are the owners of the companies from which meat is purchased from these countries? For example, meat will be purchased from Poland; are there secret Turkish partners in the company named Polon Beef?”

"THEY DON'T CARE THAT CITIZENS ARE EATING EXPENSIVE MEAT"

Stating that the Meat and Milk Board (ESK) is causing public loss in these imports, Karabat said, “In tenders held in the past, payments were made 1 week after delivery based on the weight of the animals upon arrival at Kapıkule. Now, money is paid based on weight while the animals are still on the road.

However, animals lose weight by the time they get here from Europe, and the ESK pays the price for this. They don't care if the breeder has lost money or if the citizen is eating expensive meat. The ESK is operating a mechanism to feed the import lobbies!”

Arguing that this system was established within the Ministry of Agriculture, CHP's Karabat said; “According to information we obtained from industry sources, ESK board member Mücahid Taylan plays an active role in all import processes.

In the motion we submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), we asked the Minister questions. Is Mücahid Taylan also an advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı?

Is Yumaklı directly involved in meat imports?

It is alleged that Taylan, who received livestock tenders from the ESK in the past, was doing business in partnership with a company in Hungary during the same period. Industry representatives are so intimidated that they are afraid to even speak out. Both Minister of Agriculture Yumaklı and Mücahid Taylan must come out and make a statement,” he said.

"700 THOUSAND WILL COME NEXT YEAR"

Emphasizing that the main focus will be in 2024, Özgür Karabat said, “700 thousand head of feeder cattle came to Turkey from South America this year. Another 700 thousand will come next year.

The private sector was doing this; now they plan to do this through the ESK as well. They did their internship in Europe, and they will make their windfall from South America,” he said.