Biosecurity Laws and Regulations in Turkey

1. Biosecurity Laws and Regulations in Turkey Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Avni Öktem Nanobiotechnology R&D Group, Department of Biological Sciences Middle East Technical University, Ankara TURKEY

2. As a result of • Increased research & commercial activities in biotechnology • Commencement of membership negotiations with EU on October 3rd, 2005 • Turkey has passed/signed certain biosecurity related legislations

3. 1998 - Directive About The Field Studies of Transgenic Culture Plants (1998/05/08) 2004 - The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2004/01/24) 2009 - Directive on Import, Process, Export, Control and Regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms for Human and Animal Consumption (2009/10/26) 2010 - Biosecurity Law (no.5997 - 2010/09/26) 2010 - Directive on Operational Procedures and Principles of Biosecurity Board and Committees (no.27671 - 2010/08/13) 2010 - Directive on Genetically Modified Organisms and Their Products (no.27671 – 2010/08/13)

4. biosecurity laws and directives in Turkey are mostly related with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) • their distributions, uses, imports and exports, … • earliest examples of such a directive • the “directive about the field studies of transgenic culture plants” by The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) in 1998 • aimed to prevent the import of GMOs to be used in human consumption without first being tested in a field study in Turkey • all GMOs to be imported were required to have a certification from a country having biosecurity legislation

5. In 2000, in the absence of a national law on biosecurity • The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafetywas ratified in the Turkish Parliament in 2003 • In 2002, Turkey has started to prepare a “Biosecurity Law” in compliance with The Cartagena Protocol • project money from the United Nations Environment Program – The Global Environment Facility (UNEP-GEF)entitled “Project on the Development of the National Biosafety Framework of Turkey” was started on September 18th, 2002 and finished on March 18th • In 2005, first circulating draft of “Biosecurity Law” • In 2009, finalized by the MARA • In 2010, been passed from the parliament

6. In accordance with the new “Biosecurity Law” • Two directives have been published by the MARA • 2010 - Directive on Operational Procedures and Principles of Biosecurity Board and Committees (no.27671 - 2010/08/13) • 2010 - Directive on Genetically Modified Organisms and Their Products (no.27671 – 2010/08/13) • The Biosecurity Law and two directives • Came into force on September 26th, 2010 • MARA suspended the export of all material containing GMO. • “Biosecurity Board” has been established • 1st meeting on September 27th, 2010 • The Board started a web site called “Information Exchange in Biosecurity” at http://www.tbbdm.gov.tr

7. Biosecurity Board • Total 9 members – selected by related ministries • Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (4 members) • MARA – 2 members • University – 1 member • NGO – 1 member • Ministry of Environment & Forestry • Now: Ministry of Forestry & Hydraulic Works (2 members) • Ministry of Health (1 member) • Ministry of Industry and Trade • Now: Ministry of Science, Industry & Technology (1 member) • Undersecretary of the Prime Ministry for Foreign Trade • Now: Ministry of Economy (1 member)

8. Biosecurity Board responsibilities • Establishes lists of experts and terms of responsibilities • For each GMO certification application • Establishes committees • Selects members from the expert pool • Determines committees works • Generates “Biosecurity Board Decisions” • Using committees’ feedbacks and analysis reports

9. Biosecurity Boardhow it works? • Holds meetings on a call basis • All written communications, meeting notes, etc. are kept by the Agricultural Research General Directorate (ARGD) • At least 7 members need to be present for the Board to start a meeting • At least 5 members for a consensus • Board’s decisions, directives, legislations, etc. are passed to the Ministry via ARGD

10. Scientific Committees • Members are selected from the expert pools, universities, Scientific and Technological Research Institute of Turkey and/or any expert approved by the Board. • 11 members are selected for each GMO application • the committee’s responsibilities is limited for that specific application and its term ends with it • Board can also establish committees for • Risk assessment • Socioeconomical assessment • At least 9 members need to be present for the Committee to start a meeting • At least 6 members for a consensus

11. Biosecurity Knowledge Exchange Portal

12. Biosecurity Knowledge Exchange Portal

13. Biosecurity Knowledge Exchange Portal

14. Biosecurity Boarddecisions (summary) • 6 meetings since September 26th, 2010 • Limit value for GMO content in food has been established as 0.9% in accordance with EU regulations (2010/10/26) • A2704-12, MON 89788, MON40-3-2 have been approved to be used in animal feed (2011/01/03) • Application of the Turkish Federation of Food and Beverage Associations about the use of 3 soy bean, 21 maize, 3 canola, 1 sugar and 1 potato GMO events in food has been accepted (2011/01/10) • Committees for risk and socio-economical risk assessments are being established

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