Foot and mouth alarm grows: Virus more deadly, producers face debt

Şemsi Bayraktar , President of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB), made important statements regarding the foot and mouth disease that is effective throughout the country.

Bayraktar stated that 2025 has become a disaster year for the agricultural sector and drew attention to the devastation caused by the disease on livestock.

Bayraktar stated that the increased animal activity during the Eid al-Adha holiday has led to an increase in animal diseases. He said, "In cattle, foot-and- mouth disease, which initially presents symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, depression, and decreased meat and milk yield, is milder in sheep and goats. While the disease generally has a low mortality rate, the rate of transmission is high. However, according to information we have received from our Chambers of Agriculture, the foot-and-mouth disease seen this year is more lethal and dangerous. As a result of the disease, our producers are experiencing livestock losses in some regions. Furthermore, our producers are facing economic losses due to the rapid decline in meat and milk yields."

Bayraktar made the following assessments:

The year 2025, which has already become a disaster year for the agricultural sector in its first half, continues to challenge our producers. In addition to natural disasters such as frost, hail, and drought, livestock markets in all 81 provinces were closed and animal movements were halted in affected areas due to the rapidly spreading foot-and-mouth disease. This year's increased animal movements during Eid al-Adha led to an increase in disease outbreaks. Foot-and-mouth disease, which has initial symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, depression, and reduced meat and milk yield in cattle, is milder in sheep and goats. While the disease generally has a low mortality rate, the transmission rate is high. However, according to information we have received from our Chambers of Agriculture, the foot-and-mouth disease seen this year is more lethal and dangerous. As a result, our producers are experiencing livestock losses in some regions. Furthermore, due to the rapid decline in meat and milk yields, our producers are facing economic losses.

The most significant cause of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is the illegal entry of live animals and meat into our country through our borders. The illegal entry of live animals and meat into our country poses a significant threat to both human and animal health. There must be no compromise in combating smuggling. Otherwise, this risk, which threatens both human and animal health, cannot be eliminated, nor can potential economic losses be prevented. Quarantine and vaccination measures play a crucial role in combating foot-and-mouth disease. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry stated that swift measures are being taken to prevent the spread of this new disease, that sufficient vaccine stocks are available in outbreak regions, and that shipments are proceeding according to plan.

PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN ARE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE

Precautions for our producers to take against this disease, both before and during it, are of paramount importance. Some precautions producers should take before the disease breaks out include: Barns should be stocked with disinfectants effective against foot-and-mouth disease. No one other than animal caretakers should enter the barns, and caretakers should wear different clothing and shoes than their regular clothes. For breeding animals, care should be taken to clean hands and automatic milking machines before milking. Newly purchased animals should be quarantined for 21 days, and if the disease is clear at the end of this period, they should be placed back with other animals. Grass, hay, etc., should not be taken from infected areas.

Some of the precautions to be taken by our producers after the disease is detected are; sick animals should be separated from healthy animals immediately, the area where sick animals are located should be disinfected, the bedding of sick animals should be burned, and the veterinarian should be notified as soon as possible.

The closure of animal markets nationwide, resulting in the inability to sell livestock, is making it difficult for our producers to pay their debts to Agricultural Credit Cooperatives and Ziraat Bank. Therefore, our producers' debts to Agricultural Credit Cooperatives and Ziraat Bank should be deferred for at least one year, interest-free. Finally, I extend my best wishes to our producers affected by foot-and-mouth disease.