Turkey: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

Turkey published its Biosafety Law and implementing regulations in 2010. This legislation has continued to disrupt trade and Turkey’s domestic agriculture and food sectors. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the sole authority for biotechnology approvals. The Ministry approved seven genetically engineered soybean and corn events in 2022. As of September 30, 2022, there are only 36 (15 soybean and 21 corn) events approved for feed use in Turkey. No events are approved for food use or cultivation. Turkey approved the production of four more enzymes in 2022 for industrial usage purposes, specifically enzymes produced with Aspergillus oryzae improved by modern biotechnological methods, bringing the total number of such approved enzymes to seven. Turkey also approved one GE Aspergillius oryzae which is modified for use in inactivated microbial biomass production for the feed industry. Testing of imported products remains inconsistent and continues to be a considerable cost for importers.