Turkey has introduced a passport system for forest plants, as well as authorization and supervision requirements for producing and selling seeds. Private sector seed producers which produce, sell and store any of the 179 specified seeds must now register with the plant passport system and carry such passport at all times. The new rules do not apply to seeds produced for personal use, not for commercial profit.
The Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs ("Ministry") published the Regulation on Forest Plant Passport and the Authorization, Supervision within the Forest Plant Seeds ("Regulation") in Official Gazette number 29787 on 31 July 2016. The Regulation enters into effect on 31 January 2017.
Natural persons or legal entities who seek to obtain the following certificates should apply to the relevant directorate located around the production facilities:
- Seedling producer certificate.
- Seed producer certificate.
- Seed processor certificate.
- Seed distributer certificate.
Directorates will inspect (or arrange certified forestry bureaus to inspect) the seedling producers, seed producers, seed processors at least once each year. Deficiencies will be notified to the producers certificates will be annulled if the deficiency are not rectified within 30 days.
Failure to comply with the Regulation and uncertified activities can lead to administrative fines under article 103 of the Forest Law numbered 6831.
Persons which obtained their seed producer certificates prior to 31 January 2017 must meet the Regulation's requirements within one year.
Please see this link for full text of the Regulation (only available in Turkish).
Information first published in the MA | Gazette, a fortnightly legal update newsletter produced by Moroğlu Arseven.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.