The Turkish Dairy, Meat and Breeding Cattle Breeders’ Association (TÜSEDAD) announced in two separate reports that Turkey’s current measures against foot-and-mouth disease are inadequate. The association emphasized that the country remains under constant high risk due to the growing diversity of the virus and lack of control in neighboring countries. It stressed the need to adopt a preventive and risk-based model.

Turkey is continuously at high risk of foot-and-mouth disease because of its geographical location and insufficient control measures in neighboring countries. With the entry of SAT-2 serotype in 2023 and SAT-1 in 2025, virus diversity increased, showing that routine vaccination and biosecurity measures alone are not enough. In its reports titled "Endless Epidemic: Foot-and-Mouth" and "Producer Guide on Foot-and-Mouth Disease," TÜSEDAD focused not only on the biological dimension of the disease but also on its economic and social impacts and risks.

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The disease can directly cause up to 80% losses in milk yield, 25% decline in live weight, and calf deaths. Indirect effects are even more destructive. Quarantine, compulsory slaughter, and productivity losses result in a 7–12% drop in farmers’ income. Calculations show that in a farm with a capacity of 100 dairy cows, losses can reach up to USD 49,800. Increased animal movements during periods such as Eid al-Adha, uncontrolled transport, and biosecurity gaps play a key role in the persistence of the epidemic.

MOVING FROM REACTION TO PREVENTION

TÜSEDAD’s Scientific Advisory Board underlined the necessity of shifting from the classical ‘reactive‘approach to a ‘preventive‘and risk-based model to control the disease. Key recommendations in the report include coordinated vaccination campaigns with neighboring countries, digital monitoring systems such as chip-based animal identification and mobile case reporting, ensuring vaccine-virus compatibility with regular tests, antigen stocks and emergency vaccination plans against potential new viruses like SAT-3. It also suggests establishing mandatory disinfection stations for animal transport vehicles and implementing economic rehabilitation packages, including feed, veterinary services, and financial support after outbreaks.

Foot-and-mouth disease entry route into Turkey
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The reports concluded that "if cross-border coordination, serotype-compatible vaccination strategies, digital monitoring systems, and farmer incentives are implemented together, it is possible to lift Turkey out of its ‘high-risk country’ status." TÜSEDAD management also announced that a webinar will be held on August 21 to inform producers about the issue.

Şemsi Bayraktar, President of the Union of Turkish Agricultural Chambers (TZOB), stated last month that the foot-and-mouth virus observed in the field was more lethal compared to previous years and warned that the situation should not be underestimated.