Notice of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey on emergency measures in order to prevent the introduction into and the spread within Turkey of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV)

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.