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Turkey's pork industry on the brink of extinction
Turkey's pork industry is struggling to survive due to continuous and
increased pressure from the islamic government, led by the AK
Party.
About four years ago, there were approximately 25 pig breeders in the
country, but that number has allegedly fallen to only two.
In addition,
pig slaughterhouses have been forced to hand in their licences. Four years ago
there were four of them in Istanbul, but now only one remains open. The
remaining pig farms have great problems having their animals
killed.
Religious reasons
A customer in Istanbul's only pork
butcher shop told a BBC reporter that religious reasons are the basis of the
problem. "Most people are more religious these days. They don't want to eat
pork, and they don't let others produce it either."
The Turkish
agriculture ministry however denied the situation's anything to do with Islam. A
spokesman simply insisted the regulations were introduced to bring Turkey up to
European standards.
Responsibility
Since 2004, all new
applications to open pig farms were refused on the grounds of not meeting
certain requirements, as the national agriculture ministry took back the
responsibility for issuing livestock permits.
More than 90% of the
Turkish population is muslim, whom are not allowed to eat pork for religious
reasons. Pigmeat in Turkey is sold to ethnic minorities like Greeks, ex-patriots
and tourists. In addition, pork is increasingly popular in secular high
society.
Related websites:
• BBC
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