Current Situation and Development Strategy of Organic Sheep and Goat Breeding in Turkey

Abstract

Conventional production methods are widely used in agricultural production in order to provide healthy and balanced nutrition to the growing population in the world. However, the chemical substances used to increase the efficiency and combat against diseases in plant and animal production affects human and animal health by passing to water and soil. Today, consumers around the world, especially in developed countries such as the European Union (EU) countries, the United States (USA), Japan, Canada and Australia are need of consumption of agricultural products that do not harm the environment and do not affect people and animals negatively. Sheep and goat breeding both in Turkey and in the world, organic animal meat and milk production in the consumer's needs to meet the demands is playing an important role. Worldwide, in 2012, the number of certified organic cattle, sheep and pigs are approximately 4.6, 5.6 and 1.0 million head, respectively. 2015 years, the number of organic certified cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and poultry are approximately 3.7, 0.978, 4.5, 0.718 and 31.6 million head, respectively in the European Union (EU) 28 countries. The most significant increase in organic livestock production in Turkey occurred in goat breeding (652.1%), followed by poultry (187.7%) and sheep (22.3%) breeding. Organic milk and red meat production of Turkey has occurred 2.6% and 38.2% of sheep and 6.3% and 1.6% of goats in 2015 year.