Turkey zeroes customs duty for livestock imports from EU

ANKARA - Reuters

Butchers wait for clients in a meat market in central Athens, Tuesday, July 14, 2015. AP Photo

The customs duties for livestock and red meat imports from the European Union have been zeroed for the state-run Meat and Milk Board (ESK) in a bid to decrease the negative effects of food prices rising by around 30 percent annually. 

The customs duties will be zero for livestock and red meat imports from the EU this year upon a decision by the cabinet, as published in the Official Gazette on Aug. 14. 

Upon the decision, the customs duties for around 4,040 tons of livestock and 19,100 red meat imports from the EU will be affected, according to a written statement by the ESK, operating under the ceiling of the Ministry of Agriculture. 

Of the 19,100-ton red meat import quota for the ESK, a 30 percent import duty was set for 5,000 tons and 43 percent for the remaining 14,100 tons. With the new regulation, the ESK will have the chance to pay no import duty for the meat imports in 2015. 

After around a 30 percent increase was seen in meat prices, the Central Bank said this trend continued to affect food and food services prices negatively in its monthly price developments report for July. 

In an economy coordination board (EKK) meeting last week, some measures were voiced to decrease the meat prices to more affordable levels.