Turkey: Turkey Revises Livestock Genetics Import Process and Harmonizes Certificate with the EU

Turkey has removed most of the technical barriers on importation of genetic materials for animal breeding. However, U.S. semen exports have declined recently because of the strong dollar and strong competition from cheaper prices from EU suppliers. In 2019, a requirement regarding proof of the lack of a defect in the HH6 red gene has been added to a new regulation for Holstein genetics. Also, requirements for proof of the lack of a BH1 defect for Brown Swiss and JH2 defect for Jersey breeds has been removed. The mobile concentration rate has been reduced to 1 million for sorted semen and 5 million for conventional semen per straw. Turkish importers believe that beef semen demand within the domestic market will increase since the Turkish government started to give more subsidies for beef and dual purpose cattle production in order to increase beef cattle herds. 

Turkey: Turkey Revises Livestock Genetics Import Process and Harmonizes Certificate with the EU