Turkey's Veterinarians Union Calls for More Staff and Better Conditions

Veterinarian union leader Elif Budak Mutluer told reporters in Ankara that Turkey needs a sufficient number of veterinarians to protect both animal and human health. She highlighted severe staff shortages, poor working conditions, lack of overtime pay, outdated service vehicles and difficult transport in remote mountainous areas.

Mutluer cited the scale of the livestock sector – about 18 million cattle, 58 million sheep and goats, 384 million poultry and millions of other farmed animals – and stressed that veterinarians are essential for disease surveillance, control of over 800 zoonotic diseases, animal welfare and food safety. She urged the reinstatement of the pre‑1984 Veterinary Affairs General Directorates and the hiring of additional public veterinarians and veterinary technicians to meet the workload.

The press conference, attended by union officials and held at a hotel in Ankara, concluded with Mutluer’s pledge that “we came from the field and will return tomorrow,” emphasizing the union’s demand for proper staffing and rights for veterinary professionals.