Notifications for Turkey (168 notifications)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is amending import requirements for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum spp.) and pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo) from all countries into Turkey. Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a harmful virus in many species of Cucurbitacae and Solanaceae family cultivated in Turkey. The agent with a large number of hosts is not known to occur in Turkey. Due to its occurrence in some countries nearby and the presence of a wide range of hosts, it poses a great risk for Turkey. Tomato mottle mosaic virus (TomMV) is a virus that can cause damage to various products, in particular to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) from Solanaceae family and can be transmitted by seeds. Since it is in the Tobamovirus group, there is a possibility of transmission through seed. The primary host of Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASvd) is actually tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the Solanaceae family, however this agent can also be found in pepper (Capsicum annuum Columnea latent viroid (CLVd) is harmful to various species of the Solanaceae family, in particular to tomatoes. Pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd) is harmful to various species of Solanaceae family, in particular to pepper and tomato. The primary host of Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd) is tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the Solanaceae family, and the agent can be found in some ornamental plants. Viroid poses a great risk to Turkey. In view of the dissemination of such agents in the world, in order to prevent the introduction of agents into Turkey through seeds and their spread within Turkey's production sites: For the import of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seeds from all countries as of 15 September 2021, an additional declaration will be requested on the Phytosanitary Certificate stating that:It originates in countries where Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV), Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd), Columnea latent viroid (CLVd), Pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd), Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd) is not known to occur, or in areas where the presence of Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV), Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd), Columnea latent viroid (CLVd), Pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd), Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd) is known:2 a. The seeds originate in a place of production known to be free from;2.b. The name of the place of production; and2.c. The seeds have been analyzed by the exporting country using the RT-PCR Method for ToMMV, TASVd, CLVd, PCFVd and TCDVd and that the product is free from these agents. For the import of pepper (Capsicum annuum) seeds from all countries as of 15 September 2021, an additional declaration will be requested on the Phytosanitary Certificate stating that:It originates in countries where the presence of Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV), Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd), Pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd) is not known, or in areas where the presence of Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV), Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd), Pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd) is known:2.a. The seeds originate in a place of production known to be free from;2.b. The name of the place of production; and2.c. The seeds have been analyzed by the exporting country using the RT-PCR Method for ToMMV, TASVd, PCFVd and that the product is free from these agents. For the import of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seeds from all countries as of 15 September 2021, an additional declaration will be requested on the Phytosanitary Certificate stating that:It originates in countries where the presence of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is not known, or in areas where the presence of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is known:2.a. The seeds originate in a place of production known to be free from;2.b. The name of the place of production; and2.c. The seeds have been analyzed by the exporting country using the RT-PCR Method for ToLCNDV and that the product is free from these agents.

This Communiqué covers product definitions, compositions criteria and labelling requirements of fruit wines (fruit wines, cider and perry/pear cider).

In accordance with the "Regulation on Specific Hygiene Rules for Food of Animal Origin" (G/SPS/N/TUR/12), the import of live bivalve molluscs can be permitted only from the countries and production areas in the list prepared and updated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in accordance with the "Regulation Laying Down Specific Rules for The Official Controls on Foods of Animal Origin" (G/SPS/N/TUR/15). Accordingly, it is planned to carry out inspections in exporting countries for the preparation of up-to-date lists within six months, starting from 1 July 2021 in order to protect public and animal health with the Approval of the Deputy Ministry. Consignments from the countries and production areas listed by the European Union (EU) will be permitted until the updated lists are prepared. After the aforementioned 6-month period, only consignments from the countries and production areas approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will be permitted.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry changes the proposed date of adoption as August 2021 and corrects the proposed date of entry into force (as well as the date of effect of measure on trade) as 31 December 2021 as indicated in the draft text of the Communiqué.

This Communiqué covers product definitions, compositions criteria and labelling requirements of propolis products, royal jelly, royal jelly powder, bee pollen, dried bee pollen and bee bread. The Communiqué also provides the requirements that covered bee products should have in the stages of production, preparation, processing, storage, import, transportation and marketing. The scope of the Communiqué does not cover mixtures of products covered by this Communiqué or other food or supplementary foods which products covered by this Communiqué used as ingredients. It also does not cover products needed in health applications such as apitherapy, which are not within the scope of food and supplements.

Turkey would like to inform that with respect to comments taken from trading countries regarding SPS notifications G/SPS/N/TUR/109, G/SPS/N/TUR/109/Add.1 and G/SPS/N/TUR/109/Add.2 and within the framework of ensuring the harmonization of phytosanitary and quarantine legislation of Turkey with the EU legislation (Commission Implementation Directive 2020/1191), it has been necessary to introduce amendments on emergency measures taken in order to prevent the introduction into and the spread within Turkey of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). The import requirements are sorted out below with the amendments for each specified product, and they will be in force as of 31 January 2021 for all trading countries. 1- IMPORT OF PEPPER (Capsicum sp) VARIETIES FOR PLANTING FROM ALL COUNTRIES > The product should be accompanied with a phytosanitary certificate with the heading of "Additional Declaration" which is issued according to the following criteria depending on its resistance to ToBRFV: If the product belongs to the varieties which are known to be resistant to ToBRFV, Additional Declaration contains the official statement that "The product belongs to the varieties which are known to be resistant to ToBRFV."; If the product belongs to the varieties which are not known to be resistant to ToBRFV, Additional Declaration should have the below explanations/information: >1.1. The plants have been derived from the seeds found to be free from ToBRFV by analysis using the RT-PCR method and the analysis have shown them to be free from ToBRFV;  1.2. The plants intended for planting have been produced in a production site, which is registered and inspected by the national plant protection organization in the country of origin, and is known to be free of ToBRFV during official inspections carried out at the appropriate time to detect ToBRFV; and in case of any symptoms, tested for ToBRFV and found to be free from this pest;1.3. The name of the registered production site where the plants are produced must be stated. 2- IMPORT OF PEPPER (Capsicum sp) SEEDS FROM ALL COUNTRIES > The product should be accompanied with a phytosanitary certificate with the heading of "Additional Declaration" which is issued according to the following criteria depending on its resistance to ToBRFV: If the product belongs to the varieties which are known to be resistant to ToBRFV, Additional Declaration should contain the official statement that "The product is an officially approved variety as being resistant to ToBRFV"; If the product belongs to the varieties which are not known to be resistant to ToBRFV; Additional Declaration should have the below explanations/information: >2.1. The (mother) plants from which the seeds were obtained, have been produced in a production site where ToBRFV is known not to occur, on the basis of official inspections carried out at the appropriate time to detect ToBRFV;2.2. The seeds or their mother plants have been analyzed by RT-PCR method and found to be free of ToBRFV;2.3. The information providing the traceability of the production site of the (mother) plants from which the seeds are obtained must be specified. 3- IMPORT OF TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum) SEEDS FROM ALL COUNTRIES >In the SPS notification with the symbol G/SPS/N/TUR/109/Add.2 for the import of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seeds from all countries, Article 3 of the phytosanitary conditions that must be specified in the Phytosanitary Certificate as an additional declaration is changed as follows: "Information providing the traceability of the production site of the (mother) plants from which the seeds are obtained". 4- IN THE IMPORT OF TOMATO AND PEPPER SEEDS WHERE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRODUCTION SITE IS NOT AVAILABLE WITH REGARD TO THE HARVEST PERIOD >In the event that pepper seeds other than varieties known to be resistant to ToBRFV and tomato seeds were harvested before 1 October 2020 and information of production site is not available due to the lack of mother plants, for the import of tomato and pepper seeds from all countries until 31 May 2022, the product should be accompanied with a phytosanitary certificate of which "Additional Declaration" heading includes the following statements: "The seeds or their mother plants have been analyzed by RT-PCR method and found to be free of ToBRFV", "The seeds were harvested before 1 October 2020 and the mother plants are not available for inspection."

In order to prevent the entry of Xylella fastidiosa into Turkey, phytosanitary measures have been taken for the importation of host plants of Xylella fastidiosa to Turkey as well as ensuring the harmonization of national legislation on phytosanitary and quarantine with the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1201 of 14 August 2020 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Xylella fastidiosaTherefore, within the scope of Commission Implementation Directive 2020/1201, in order to prevent the entry of Xylella fastidiosa to Turkey, amendments and addenda will be made: - In the list of plants for planting purposes (other than seeds) that are prohibited from entering Turkey from the "contaminated production areas of the countries where the presence of Xylella fastidiosa is known", included in Annex-3 (Plants, Plant Products and Growing Medium, Introduction of which are Banned) of the Plant Quarantine Regulation; and - In the list of host plants for planting purposes (other than seeds) of Xylella fastidiosa in Articles 64 and 65 of Annex-4 (Special Requirements For Importation of Plants and Plant Products) of the Plant Quarantine Regulation. >Amendments and addenda drafted to the list of host plants for planting purposes (other than seeds) of Xylella fastidiosa (Annex-1) are enclosed.On the other hand, the host plants not included in these addenda and amendments to be made in Annex-3 and Annex-4 (Articles 64 and 65), lists of the relevant Plant Quarantine Regulation regarding Xylella fastidiosa, shall remain in the Plant Quarantine Regulation and will continue to be subject to the provisions of the regulation.Until necessary amendments will be made in the Plant Quarantine Regulation, the following phytosanitary measures will be taken as of 15 January 2021:The host plants of Xylella fastidiosa for planting purposes (other than seeds) included in Annex-I are prohibited from entering Turkey from the "contaminated production areas of the countries where the presence of Xylella fastidios is known". In the import of the host plants of Xylella fastidiosa for planting purposes (other than seeds) coming from the non-contaminated production areas of the countries where the presence of Xylella fastidiosa is known, the conditions specified in Annex-4, Article 64 of the Plant Quarantine Regulation must be met, and an additional declaration must be provided in the Phytosanitary Certificate. In the import of the host plants of Xylella fastidiosa for planting purposes (other than seeds) coming from countries where the presence of Xylella fastidiosa is unknown, the conditions specified in Annex-4, Article 65 of the Plant Quarantine Regulation must be met and an additional declaration must be provided in the Phytosanitary Certificate. If contamination with Xylella fastidiosa is detected during the phytosanitary controls in the importation of the host plants of Xylella fastidiosa for planting purposes (other than seeds) included in Annex-I, the entry of products will not be allowed into Turkey.

The "Regulation on the Determination of Animal Health Rules for the Importation and Transit of Certain Live Ungulate Animals" published in the Official Gazette dated 20 September 2015 and numbered 29481 has been notified to the WTO as G/SPS/N/TUR/58.The first paragraph of Article 4 of the Regulation, titled as "Animal Health Rules for the Import of Certain Live Ungulate Animals", regarding the establishment of the list of authorized countries, states that "import and transit live ungulate animals are permitted only from the countries included in the lists prepared by the Ministry".On the other hand, in Article 13 of the same Regulation, it was stated that: a) the first paragraph of Article 4 shall come into force three years after the date of its publication; and b)other provisions shall come into force on the date of publication.In line with the requests made by the exporter countries that there will be difficulties in the implementation of the foreseen changes and in the determination of the list of authorized countries for import, the effective date of the relevant article has been extended for two years with the "Regulation on the Amendment of the Regulation on the Determination of Animal Health Rules for the Importation and Transit of Certain Live Ungulate Animals", which was published in the Official Gazette dated 7 May 2019 and numbered 30767.However, due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the process of determination of the list of authorized countries for import could not be completed. In this context, the effective date of the mentioned article of the regulation has been extended for two more years with the "Regulation on the Amendment of the Regulation on the Determination of Animal Health Rules Regarding the Importation and Transit of Certain Live Ungulate Animals and Transit Pass" dated 25 November 2020 and numbered 31315.The amendment includes the following changes in the "Regulation on the Determination of Animal Health Rules for the Importation and Transit of Certain Live Ungulate Animals" dated 20 September 2015 and numbered 29481.The phrase "five" in the clause (a) of the first paragraph of Article 13 of the Regulation has been changed as "seven".

The purpose of that document is; - notification of all trading partner countries regarding model veterinary health certificate titled as "Veterinary Health Certificate for Exportation of Animal by products Intended for Manufacture of Petfood to the Republic of Turkey" issued in line with import requirements of animal by products intended for pet food manufacture with that of the European Union (EU) identified in the scope of Commission Regulation 142/2011/EC

The purpose of this Communiqué is to add decision tree for refined olive oils and olive oils composed of refined olive oils and virgin olive oils in line with International Olive Council Trade Standard applying to olive oils and olive pomace oils.

In order to prevent the entry of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (Tobamovirus, ToBRFV) into Turkey, an additional declaration was introduced in the phytosanitary certificates for the import of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and capsicum (Capsicum sp.) seeds known to be affected from the virus, originating from Jordan, Germany, Israel, Italy and Mexico, which was also notified to WTO through G/SPS/N/TUR/109 on February 26, 2020.Since the virus has spread widely in many parts of the world, additional preventive measures have been taken as of 31/08/2020 for all trading countries; which was also notified to WTO through G/SPS/N/TUR/109/Add.1 on July 30, 2020.Pursuant to the "Commission Implementation Regulation (EU) 2020/1191 of 11 August 2020, establishing measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1615" that published in the Official Gazette of the European Union (EU) dated 12.08.2020 and numbered L262/6; and within the framework of harmonization of Turkey's phytosanitary and quarantine legislation with EU legislation; the need for a new SPS declaration has emerged regarding the conditions to be met by all trading countries in the import of tomato and pepper seeds and their plants intended for planting, and the requirements to be met regarding the seeds, their mother plants and the plants intended for planting. The relevant legislation is being prepared and will be shared separately.Within this framework, following additional preventive measures will be in force as of 01/10/2020 for all trading countries in order to prevent the entry into and spread within Turkey of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV);IMPORT OF PLANTS FOR PLANTING FROM ALL COUNTRIES:For Tomato (Solanum lycopersicumThe product should be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, which, under the heading "Additional Declaration", contains the following:1- An official statement that the plants have been derived from the seeds found to be free from ToBRFV by analysis using the RT-PCR Method and these analysis have shown them to be free from ToBRFV,2- An official statement that the plants intended for planting have been produced in a production site, which is registered and inspected by the national plant protection organization in the country of origin, and is known to be free of ToBRFV during official inspections carried out at the appropriate time to detect ToBRFV; and in case of symptoms, tested for ToBRFV and found to be free from this pest,3-The name of the registered production site where the plants are produced.For pepper (Capsicum sp.The product should be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, which, under the heading "Additional Declaration", contains the following official statement:The product belongs to the varieties which are known to be resistant to ToBRFV.IMPORT OF SEEDS FROM ALL COUNTRIES:For Tomato (Solanum lycopersicumThe product should be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, which, under the heading "Additional Declaration", contains the following:1- An official statement that the mother plants, from which the seeds were obtained, have been produced in a production site where ToBRFV is known not to occur, on the basis of official inspections carried out at the appropriate time to detect ToBRFV;2- An official statement that the seeds or their mother plants have been analyzed by RT-PCR method and found to be free of ToBRFV,3- The name of the registered production site where the seeds are produced.For pepper (Capsicum sp.The product should be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, which, under the heading "Additional Declaration", contains the following official statement:1- The fact that the product belongs to the varieties which are known to be resistant to ToBRFV,or2- The product have been analyzed by RT-PCR method and found to be free of ToBRFV.

In order to prevent the entry of Tomato brown rugose fruit virusTobamovirus, ToBRFV) into Turkey, an additional declaration was introduced in the phytosanitary certificates for the import of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and capsicum (Capsicum sp.) seeds known to be affected from the virus, originating from Jordan, Germany, Israel, Italy and Mexico, which was also notified to WTO through G/SPS/N/TUR/109 on February 26, 2020.Since  the virus has spread widely in many parts of the world, following preventive measures have been taken as of 31/08/2020 for all trading countries;In case of import of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and capsicum (Capsicum) seeds, analysis for the specified organism has been carried out using RT-PCR method, and they have been found, in these analysis, to be free of the specified organism and an "additional declaration" is to be provided with phytosanitary certificates, referencing to the results of this analysis;  In case of import of specified plants for planting, other than seeds;  -they have been produced in a production site which is registered and supervised by the national plant protection organisation in the country of origin and known to be free from the ToBRFV on the basis of official inspections carried out at the appropriate time to detect that organism; and  -they derive from seeds which either originate in areas free from the specified organism or have undergone official testing for the specified organism on a representative sample using RT-PCR method, and have been found, in these tests, to be free of the specified organism and an "Additional Declaration' shall be required referring to the testing results with the phytosanitary certificate.

The regulation establishes the implementation procedures and principles relating to maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin to ensure a high level of consumer protection.

The image of the watermark used in the Plant Health Certificate and Re-export Plant Health Certificate designated for plant and plant products exported from Turkey has been changed. Technical specifications and information about the image of the watermark have been published on "https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/Konu/1963/Yeni_Logolu_BSS" website.The usage of new watermarked Plant Health Certificate and Re-Export Plant Health Certificates will begin as of 1of August 2020.However, the certificates printed with old watermark which are on the stock of the Provincial Directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry shall remain valid until 31 of December 2021.After 31 December 2021, only new watermarked Plant Health Certificate and Re-export Plant Health Certificate will be valid and the validity of the certificates with old watermark will expire.

The proposal notified in G/SPS/N/TUR/31 (26/08/2013) has been amended in the scope of the consumption patterns of paste. The other products based on tomato and red pepper which have been used for the purpose of cooking, will be added into the content/scope of the exist Communiqué on tomatoes and red pepper paste and puree. The preservatives (sorbates-benzoates) should not be used in tomato/red pepper pastes and purees. In addition of the other cooking/edible products based on tomato and red pepper into the related Communique, the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives has been modified according to this modification.

The proposal notified in G/SPS/N/TUR/66  has been amended in the scope of the consumption patterns of paste. The other products based on tomato and red pepper which have been used for the purpose of cooking, will be added into the content/scope of the exist Communiqué on tomatoes and red pepper paste and puree.

This Communiqué covers product definitions, compositions criteria and labelling requirements of spices.

The draft Communique proposes to revise some specifications for hazelnut oil, cottonseed oil and palm superolein.

The purpose of this regulation is to be aligned with: - Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/649 of 24 April 2019 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards trans fat, other than trans fat naturally occurring in fat of animal origin; - Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1203 of 5 July 2017 amending Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards organic silicon (monomethylsilanetriol) and calcium phosphoryl oligosaccharides (POs-Ca®) added to foods and used in the manufacture of food supplements.

The purpose of the amendment of the veterinary health certificate above mentioned is as following: - Update of model certificate being used for import of bovine semen to Turkey for harmonisation of import requirements of bovine semen with that of the European Union (EU) identified in the scope of Commission Implementing Decision 2011/630/EU with some minor differences. - Revision on EHD testing requirements.