Turkey to import horse, donkey meat from Sudan

Duvar English

Turkey to import horse and donkey meat from Sudan as part of a trade agreement signed between the countries in 2017.

According to the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement that was approved in parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission last week, Turkey will import agricultural products and livestock from Sudan, daily Cumhuriyet reported on Dec. 12.

The agreement that's expected to enter into force soon after being approved in parliament stipulates Turkey to implement 100 percent intra-quota tariff discount to Sudan and import cattle and small cattle, butter, eggs, honey, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, grapes, wheat, barley and corn.

Some 500 tons of horse, donkey and mule meat, as well as 500 tons of animal giblets, including those of the aforementioned animals, will be imported from Sudan without Turkey implementing any customs tariffs.

The countries signed an agricultural cooperation agreement in 2015 and Turkey rented agricultural land in Sudan to use it for 99 years.

Production, however, hasn't begun on these lands.

The status of the lands was discussed in Sudan after the country's strongman Omar al-Bashir was ousted in April, but no solution could be reached regarding the deal that was signed during Bashir's rule.

Speaking at the Foreign Affairs Commission, Deputy Foreign Minister Yavuz Selim Kıran said that the new administration in Sudan abides by the agreement and that the country's foreign minister will visit Turkey on Dec. 24.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy chair Ünal Çeviköz criticized the agreement following its approval in the commission.

"We are approving a situation that's against our domestic market and producers," Çeviköz said in the meeting.