A reform in legislation regarding the import of foodstuffs with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) was published in the Official Gazette yesterday. It allows the import of items containing GMOs that were evaluated for safety according to EU but not Turkish, standards. The modification will allow these goods into Turkey until March 1 of this year.
Before the change, the law allowed the import of goods that were regulated according to EU standards before Oct. 26, 2009 until March 1, 2010. The reform also includes a ban on the import of infant formula, follow-on formula and supplementary foods for children that contain GMOs and a ban on GMOs that create resistance to antibiotics in humans and animals. The passage of the GMO legislation was halted last year by the Council of State primarily because of an amended clause that allowed items with the necessary documents obtained before Oct. 26 to enter Turkey’s borders. The GMO legislation came into effect again on Dec. 24 when the Council of State accepted an appeal by the Ministry of Agriculture. This new amendment brings this transition date up to the Jan. 20 -- the day it was published in the gazette.
