Michael Welu worked at the IRS for decades as a specialist in helping agents identify and investigate possible tax crimes. In an agency known for offices working in their own silos, Welu had the rare ability to move between divisions, dissecting and learning each office’s particular customs and procedures. But that experience had its own … Read more
The latest meeting between Turkish Cypriot farmers and the north’s ‘government’ over the ongoing dispute regarding imported meat ended without result on Friday, the north’s animal producers’ and breeders’ union chairman Mustafa Naimogullari said on Friday.Naimogullari had met with ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel, ‘finance minister’ Ozdemir Berova, ‘agriculture minister’ Huseyin Cavus, and ‘economy minister’ Olgun … Read more
Turkish Cypriot farmers smashed the gate of the ‘prime minister’s’ office and burnt hay bales in front of the building during their protest against the government’s decision to import meat from the Netherlands and low prices for their products.
Fact: 30 kilograms of smuggled lamb meat was seized at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point by Turkish Cypriot police.
Authorities seized 800 kg of meat products from the market ahead of Easter, not for health reasons but mostly for labeling issues. Meat prices are up compared to last year, with lamb and kid meat being 10% more expensive. Chicken prices have dropped by 3 to 4%. Meat consumption during Easter typically amounts to 800,000 kg, with 40,000 animals slaughtered.
The fact described in the text is that the north’s ‘government’ in Cyprus is planning to increase fines for causing death by dangerous driving from 1.2 million TL to 1.8 million TL.
Butchers in the north have introduced a “service fee” for their customers to bypass price controls set by the ‘government’ for the retail price of lamb. The service fees typically range between 10 and 15 percent of the retail price of the meat. The introduction of service fees indicates that butchers have no intention of reducing their income.
Almost two metric tonnes of beef smuggled from the Republic were seized in the Kyrenia district. The operation was conducted by the Turkish Cypriot police and the north’s customs department. A total of 1,987.7 kilograms of beef and 67.1kg of lamb were seized. Three men were arrested in connection with the smuggling.
140 kilograms of beef smuggled from the Republic were seized by police in the north, with two arrests made. Meat prices in the north are typically higher than those in the Republic, driving Turkish Cypriot consumers to buy meat products south of the Green Line and, occasionally, illegally take it back to the north.
Turkish Cypriot butchers are experiencing a loss of customers as consumers opt to buy cheaper meat in the Republic of Cyprus. The butchers held a protest at the north’s slaughterhouse, where they slaughtered two lambs. They are urging the northern government to take urgent action to allow meat to be sold at competitive prices. The butchers’ association has highlighted that the high price of livestock in the north is causing economic difficulties for vendors, leading to potential bankruptcy. They are unable to sell meat, which leads to waste as the unsold meat spoils, and as a result, animal slaughter rates have dropped significantly. The butchers have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s inaction to address the crisis, which is affecting their livelihood and the broader economy, including production and tourism sectors. They warn that if the situation does not improve, it could lead to more severe consequences.