Turkey’s biotech products import ban temporarily suspended

Last week the Turkish Danistay Court for government affairs, which is similar to the U.S. Supreme Court, suspended the implementation of the Ministry of Agricultures decree banning biotech products from entering the country.

On Monday, Dec. 7, the Ministrys legal department officially received the legislation, causing confusion and chaos among traders and Ministry officials on when the suspension of the ban should begin. According to the U.S. Grains Council Regional Director in the Middle East and Subcontinent Joe OBrien, some lawyers believe the Ministry is obliged to execute the suspension immediately while others believe it has 30 days to begin implementation.

"It is chaotic at the ports as vessels arrive and no one knows what to do. Everyday the ports discharge DDGS (distillers dried grains with solubles) and soybean meal to warehouses to get rid of increasing demurrages," said OBrien. "The lack of import permits is causing serious problems for the feed industry in obtaining the grain necessary to fulfill demand."

It is believed that if the Ministry is legally allowed 30 days before implementing the Courts decision, then it will use all 30 days.

"Technically, the Courts action could allow approximately 200,000 metric tons of DDGS and corn gluten being held in Turkish bonded warehouses to be released and any remaining shipments waiting at the ports to be discharged. However, the Ministry has the right to oppose the decision and request it be reviewed by another court in the Danistay," said USGC director of biotechnology programs Rebecca Fecitt. "Everybody is waiting for action from the Ministry, but if it takes advantage of the entire 30 days, additional storage will be required, demurrage costs will continue to increase and products wont be getting to customers and end-users. It is important to note the regulation has just been suspended, not rescinded. Therefore, it could come back into force if the Court or other official entities reverse the decision. Furthermore, the Council believes the Ministry will likely work more diligently to move a biosafety law through Parliament, something the Council is working on with local industry to prevent from occurring."