Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Prof. Dr. Vahit Kirişci, about the restriction of foot and mouth disease, “Get well soon. Animal movements have provided opportunities for those who want to transport animals from one place to another.” said.
Minister Kirişci met with the representatives of the agricultural sector at the Rize Commodity Exchange. Kirişci also gave information about foot-and-mouth disease at the meeting and said, “We have reached an important stage in our efforts to stop and prevent the spread of SAT-2 serotype foot-and-mouth disease, which was seen for the first time in our country last February. First of all, I would like to remind you that we started to take the necessary measures before the SAT-2 serotype foot-and-mouth disease was seen in our country, and that we immediately implemented an effective control strategy as soon as it was detected in our country on February 3, 2023.” he said.
Kirişci stated that a vaccine was produced against the SAT-2 serotype in a short period of 37 days at the FMD Institute and said, “A total of 14,5 million vaccines were produced. Nearly 13 million of them were sent to the field. Nearly 8 million animals have been vaccinated. During this period, we imposed a ban on the slaughter, export and import of animals. During this time, we have banned animal movements.” used the phrase.
“FIGHTING SUCH DISEASES CAN BE TRANSMITTED BY WIND IS NOT EASY”
Stressing that the National Center for Disease Control discussed the latest situation regarding foot-and-mouth disease and the restriction of animal movements throughout the country, and took three important decisions, Kirişci continued as follows:
“First of all, if there will be animal movement within the provincial borders, we will not question whether this animal movement is vaccinated in any way. Secondly, here we will ask whether the cattle has been vaccinated during the removal of the cattle from the province, and if it has been vaccinated, we will question whether 21 days have passed. If 21 days have passed, it means that the effectiveness of this vaccination has been achieved. Thirdly, we will also allow the movement of these animals without any inquiry during their transportation outside the province. Let's say goodbye now."
Pointing out that foot-and-mouth diseases are carried even by the wind, Kirişci said, “It is not easy to combat such diseases that can be transmitted by wind. We are not a European country. We have neighbors, such problems are experienced because they do not show the care we show. Get well soon. Animal movements have provided opportunities for those who want to transport animals from one place to another.” he said.
Restrictions applied throughout the country within the framework of the decisions taken by the National Center for Disease Control will be lifted across the country as of April 3, 28, within the framework of 2023 rules, except for places where quarantine continues.
ÇAYKUR INCREASED THE NUMBER OF FACTORIES TO 49
Minister Kirişci examined the Organic Tea Factory, which was completed by ÇAYKUR in Çamlıhemşin district, within the scope of the Rize program.
Making a statement after the examination, Kirişci said that ÇAYKUR put into service 2 new factories in Çamlıhemşin and İkizdere during the wet tea season.
Expressing that ÇAYKUR is making efforts to build factories in İkizdere and Çamlıhemşin, Kirişci said, “We know that our manufacturers are waiting. Together with the two factories, we have increased the number of our factories from 47 to 49. Each has a capacity of 100 tons. It means 200 tons of additional capacity. Only in Çamlıhemşin, tea produced by around 2 producers related to organic production will be purchased.” he said.
Stressing that the decisions regarding the construction of the factories were taken in 2022, Kirişci said, “We thought that it would contribute to the sector, regional production and the economy of Rize, and the works were produced in a short time like one year.” he said.
Noting that 2 people will work in the 400 factories whose construction has been completed, Kirişci said, “Apart from the employment aspect, the transfer of teas to other parties was a second challenge. It had a cost. The tea production of this region will be value-added in this factory, our teas will be packaged, and then we will sell them at our tea sales points and export them abroad when necessary.” used the phrases.
Minister Kirişci later met with young people at Ardeşen Tourism Center.