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

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.