Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 25: 1579 - 1584. Published January 11 2010.
Cattle fattening systems and environmental regulations in Turkey
Halil Fidan
Ankara University, Agricultural Faculty, Department of Agricultural Economics, Dışkapı /Ankara 06110
Corresponding author e-mail: fidan@agri.ankara.edu.tr
ABSTRACT
The livestock sector is an important part of the agricultural sector in Turkey. Animal production consists of approximately 24% of agricultural production. Cattle fattening and husbandry in Turkey has in the past caused environmental problems, with increasing population being against fattened cattle products. In particular the development of intensive farming at industrialized scale has led to water and air pollution.
In Turkey, the total number of agricultural enterprises is not known exactly, but is estimated to be around 30000, of which 90 % are small-farm holdings. In most of these, closed fattening systems are used. The waste in fattening operations is high, e.g. cattle manure and waste of raw materials used in livestock feed, among others. Atmospheric concentrations of NH3 increased by 50% in the last 30-40 years and it has been determined that cattle fattening manure contributed 81% of this, compared to 2% from other industries. . In relation to these effects, there are several direct and legal implications and regulations. This study examined the relationship between the environment and impacts of animal husbandry related to these activities, and the status of current legal regulations.
Key words: Cattle fattening, legal regulations, environment, waste
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