Strike threatens in Northern Cyprus over Dutch meat imports

In Nicosia, Turkish Cypriot butchers and livestock farmers demonstrated for the sixth consecutive day at government buildings against the import of frozen meat from the Netherlands. With fixed prices, the pro-Turkish government of Northern Cyprus is trying to do something about high local meat and food prices.

The standoff between authorities and Turkish Cypriot farmers continued on Monday and Tuesday. The morning started with what has become a 'routine breakdown' of the government office entrance gate, which saw the gate removed from its hinges for the second time.   

The farmers' unions were joined on Monday by some unions from other sectors of Turkish Cypriot society. The leader of Turkey's civil servants' union warned Prime Minister Unal Ustel that he would "make you suffer exactly what you are doing to us." Another union leader called Monday's protest "just the beginning."   

Air traffic controllers at Nicosia airport said they also planned to strike in solidarity with the farmers, but as usual, authorities issued a decree on Monday morning to stop the strike.   

During the day, a number of politicians from opposition party CTP arrived at the protest, with party leader and former Prime Minister Tufan Erhurman entering the prime minister's office in an attempt to mediate. 

Instead of agreeing to meet with union representatives in his office, Ustel offered to meet them in the parliament building, far away from where the demonstrators had gathered.   

“If they don't take a step back on their meat import policy, we won't accept anything. This is our top priority. They need to take this seriously now. If they don't meet us, these protests will continue. These issues cannot be resolved without consultation,” said a union leader.   

He also said the north's police chief had told him that arrests would be made if protesters continue to smash gates at government buildings.

The Turkish Cypriot administration had announced a decision to start importing meat from the Netherlands on May 17, with the aim of bringing down prices for consumers. However, livestock farmers and butchers believe that this actually undermines their livelihoods. Authorities say there will be “no step back,” while demonstrators say they will only end their protests when Dutch meat imports are abolished.