"WE HAVE PREPARATION FOR AN ACTION PLAN ON HEMP"
Minister Bekir Pakdemirli, stating that meat stock of Turkey is enough, "Meat and Milk Board has about 50 thousand tons in stock. In this area, Turkey does not seem to have a shortage in short term," he said.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli made remarks on the recent developments.
Regarding the issue of whether red meat would be sold at the regulated sales points, Minister Pakdemirli stated that there are already regulated sales points about meat, "This is Meat and Milk Board. Our citizens come here and buy the meat they need." he said.
Mr. Pakdemirli reminded that the project was started by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the citizens to eat cheap meat cubes and minced meat and added that this project is continuing.
Pakdemirli stated that cheap meat and minced meat was sold in three chain stores in 81 provinces and said:
"I do not think it is necessary to make a special arrangement for this. If necessary, this can be talked about. This sale at cooperative markets may be discussed in the future as regulated sales, but as of today, I think it is not suitable of meat sales at regulated sales points both in terms of hygiene and in other respects. This may take place in medium term projects, but today, there is no problem with meat."
Mr. Pakdemirli underlining that minced meat and meat cubes can be obtained from 29 and 31 TL, respectively, these prices are balanced and under the inflation, he said.
Expressing that Meat and Milk Board has not been importing meat for 6 months Mr. Pakdemirli, "Turkey's meat stocks are enough. They also have about 50 thousand tons in the stock. In this area, Turkey does not seem to have a shortage in short term, we do import if needed." he said.
"WE HAVE PREPARATION FOR AN ACTION PLAN ON HEMP"
Mr. Pakdemirli also touched on the issue of hemp production after President Erdoğan's instruction and gave information about the steps to be taken.
Mentioning that hemp cultivation is made in 19 provinces in Turkey, Pakdemirli said:
"There is no demand for cultivation in some of these provinces. There is a false perception in the public that hemp will be planted and the government will take it all. The government does not have a plan and program for taking it. We have increased our work on production with the direction given by our President. This is not just a study that will involve us. We are also in contact with the Ministry of Industry and Technology. We must also create the industry of this business. Our investors, who committed to invest over $ 50 million - $ 100 million, ask for permission to plant hemp. We direct them to our Ministry of Industry and Technology. We give permission, as long as it is invested."
Minister Pakdemirli noted that, in case of hemp production is made widespread to all provinces in Turkey, there is no possibility to meet the seed demand, and "We must carry out this step by step in the framework of an action plan. The usage area of hemp is too much. You don't leave a serious added value abroad. It is important in terms of the development of our domestic industry." he said.
Dr. Pakdemirli pointed out the use of hemp in textile, military-purpose drapes, automobile industry and the pharmaceutical industry and stated that it is possible to get fertilizer from its ashes, oil from its seed, and animal feed from its bagasse.
Minister Pakdemirli stressed the need to determine in a good way the Turkey's target in hemp, "We have preparation for an action plan on hemp. There is also an action plan which was prepared by the Presenditial Palace. In this regard we have taken the necessary steps and we will continue" he expressed.