Istanbul, May 12 – With Eid al-Adha approaching, authorities in Istanbul have initiated comprehensive inspections of sacrificial animals entering the city. These controls are being carried out at designated transfer points, such as the Riva Livestock Transfer Control Point, to ensure the health and welfare of the animals.
Strict Controls on Animal Entry
Teams at the control points are meticulously examining each animal’s ear tags, passports, and veterinary health reports. This rigorous process aims to prevent the entry of unhealthy or undocumented animals into the city, safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Suat Parıldar, an official involved in the inspections, stated that controls for 2026 have begun. He highlighted that approximately 60,000 large cattle and over 81,000 small ruminants were transported to Istanbul last year. In 2025, around 80,000 large cattle and 94,000 small ruminants were sacrificed in the city, and similar figures are anticipated for this year.
Focus on Hygiene and Animal Welfare
Parıldar also addressed the work of the Sacrifice Services Commission, emphasizing that hygiene, health, and animal welfare criteria are meticulously reviewed when issuing permits for temporary sacrifice sales and slaughter areas. All necessary conditions are monitored to ensure citizens can perform their religious duties in healthy and appropriate environments.
Citizens are urged by Parıldar to always check for ear tags, passports, and veterinary health reports when purchasing sacrificial animals. He noted that the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry teams are on duty 24/7 and expressed wishes for a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous Eid al-Adha.
Expectations for Eid al-Adha 2026
The continuous monitoring and strict adherence to regulations are crucial for a smooth and safe Eid al-Adha. The authorities are committed to facilitating the religious observance while upholding high standards of animal health and public safety.
The concerted efforts by various departments underline the importance placed on the well-being of both the animals and the citizens during this significant religious period. These measures are designed to ensure that all sacrificial animals meet the required health standards and that the slaughtering processes are conducted hygienically.
The public’s cooperation in verifying the documentation of purchased animals is also vital to the success of these initiatives. This collective responsibility helps maintain the integrity of the process and ensures a healthy celebration for everyone.
The inspections will continue intensively until Eid al-Adha, ensuring that all animals entering Istanbul for sacrifice are fit and properly documented.
Source: https://www.iha.com.tr/istanbul-haberleri/kurban-bayrami-oncesi-istanbulda-sevk-noktalarinda-yogun-mesai-421793565
