Some concerns regarding the import of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are valid, but the media outburst on the issue might harm both producers and consumers, says Şemsi Bayraktar, chief of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture. ‘The new regulation should not be used as a step toward GMO production in Turkey,’ he says.
As the debate regarding the entrance of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, to Turkey continues, an agriculture sector representative said the public does not need to panic. Meanwhile, an academic argued that genetically modified food may render Turkey’s authentic tastes “extinct.”
Not all imported food products contain GMOs, as globally traded GMO products include only soy, corn, cotton and canola, according to Şemsi Bayraktar, president of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture, or TZOB.
In a written statement on Sunday, Bayraktar noted that a new regulation for importing, processing, exporting and controlling GMOs has come into effect.
“Some circles criticized the government by saying the regulation lets loose GMO imports, while some said it actually forbids imports,” said Bayraktar. “It is evident that there is serious misinformation about this issue.”
Media reports on the issue, which involve the “disclosure” of some modified products, have started to harm producers, Bayraktar said. “Meanwhile, consumers have started questioning everything they eat. If demand collapses, both producers and consumers will be harmed.”
Four key products
No vegetables or fruits produced in Turkey are currently GMOs and such production is outlawed, the TZOB chief added. “Currently, imported, genetically modified products include corn, soy, cotton and canola,” he said.
Bayraktar noted that some corn feed, biodiesel and starch imported excessively over the past few years might “all be GMOs,” adding that these are used as animal feed in Turkey. “These products are entering the country without any control, a practice that has to stop,” he said. “The new regulation says GMO products will be imported, but these imports will be subject to certain rules. Those that wish to import GMO products must apply to the Health Ministry. An 11-member committee will assess the request and decide on the issue.”
“If the imported product has a GMO content of more than 0.9 percent, it will be labeled,” he continued. “But those that have a GMO content below this level will be sold freely.”
Bayraktar criticized an article in the regulation, which states that GMO-free products will not be able to have such labels. “This article infringes the right of the consumer who wishes to consume GMO-free products,” he said.
The TZOB chief also said the regulation has been put into effect before preparations on a National Biosecurity Act are completed. “Also, the views [of the public] were not assessed before this regulation. These are, rightfully, sources of criticism and concern.”
“This regulation should not be used as a step toward GMO production [in Turkey],” he said. “We fear that it will first allow GMO imports and then domestic production.”
Main concerns
In his statement, Bayraktar summarized society’s concerns in six points:
- Turkey hosts 10,000 plant species, 3,000 of which are endemic to the country. GMO production would pose a serious risk to this biological diversity. As pollens of transgenic plants are carried elsewhere by the wind, insects, birds or bacteria, other plant species might be affected negatively.
- European Union-member countries are cool toward the consumption of genetically modified products. Turkish producers might have a problem exporting to the EU.
- Big seed companies and big pharmaceutical companies are essentially the same. Those that produce GMO seeds are also producing medicines.
- Allowing genetically modified seed production might harm domestic seed companies, increasing foreign seed dependency.
- Patenting modern biotechnology products may force Turkey to pay millions, as it is not able to produce technology but is only consuming it.
- Products imported to be used as food or feed may be used as seeds and the regulation foresees no control of this potential loophole.
Warning on ‘genetic pollution’
Turkey’s authentic tastes such as the Diyarbakır watermelon may become “extinct” in the face of GMO production, according to Ahmet Arslan, an academic at Gaziantep University who urged Turkey to create a plant gene bank.
“GMO technology is most advanced in countries such as Canada, Germany, the United States, Britain and France,” Arslan said. “These countries have enormous stocks, while Turkey is seen as an important market. [Companies from these countries] have been striving for years to enter the Turkish market, but until today, they have always retreated in the face of social opposition.”
“GMO products will create irreversible genetic pollution in Turkey,” he said. “This is a serious danger. These products represent a universal standardization effort that is based on crossbreeding.”
“If genetically modified wheat that is used as animal feed in Canada is imported and used for human consumption in Turkey, this would be the biggest disrespect toward our society,” Arslan said.
© Copyright 2009 Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review. All Rights Reserved.
