Turkey shuts livestock markets amid disease outbreak

Turkey has shut down all livestock markets and related venues as it battles a fast-spreading strain of foot-and-mouth disease that threatens its agricultural economy, as reported by Al-Monitor on July 2nd.

The Agriculture Ministry confirmed the closure of livestock markets, animal fairs, live exchanges, and sales centres, aiming to prevent further infections while a national vaccination drive rolls out.

Officials traced the outbreak to heightened animal movement during Eid al-Adha, a holiday when mass slaughter of livestock occurs. The ministry identified a new strain of the disease and linked its rapid spread to both direct animal contact and indirect exposure through breeders, traders, and herders. “Scientific evaluations have shown that the risk of infection is quite high, especially in animal sales points, through direct contact with animals,” the ministry said.

He added, “in addition, indirect contacts through breeders, herders and animal traders and village visits for animal trade can cause the disease to spread to different regions in a short time.”

Though the virus poses no risk to humans, it remains a serious animal health threat. While adult animals face a 1–5% fatality rate, mortality in young livestock can exceed 20%. Still, the ministry assured the public that food security remains stable. “Our current stocks and production infrastructure are at a level that will meet this process,” it stated. Meat and dairy distribution will continue uninterrupted.

Considering the current delicate political tensions in Turkey, any upheaval could show the limitations to Erdogan’s leadership. Foot-and-mouth disease, though non-zoonotic, delivers a sharp blow to the farming sector. Livestock contributes around 23% of Turkey’s agricultural GDP and 1.5% of total GDP, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Restrictions will ease gradually as vaccination reaches all livestock. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli recently noted an 80% drop in foot-and-mouth cases compared to last year.

Al-Monitor, Reuters