G/SPS/N/TUR/119  
 
10 August 2021  
(21-6164) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES  
1. Notifying Member:  TURKEY  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry/ General Directorate of 
Food and Control  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable):  Tomato seeds ( Solanum lycopersicum ), pepper seeds ( Capsicum 
annuum ), pumpkin seeds ( Cucurbita pepo ) 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document:  Emergency phytosanitary measures for the import of 
tomato, pepper and pumpkin seeds . Language(s): . Number of pages:   
6. Description of content:  The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is amending import 
requirements for tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ), pepper ( Capsicum  spp.) and pumpkin 
seeds ( Cucurbita pepo ) from all countries into Turkey.  
Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a harmful virus in many species of 
Cucurbitacae and Solanaceae family cult ivated in Turkey. The agent with a large number 
of hosts is not known to occur in Turkey. Due to its occurrence in some countries nearby 
and the presence of a wide range of hosts, it poses a great risk for Turkey.  
Tomato mottle mosaic virus (TomMV)  is a vi rus that can cause damage to various 
products, in particular to tomato  (Solanum lycopersicum ) and pepper  (Capsicum annuum ) 
from Solanaceae family and can be transmitted by seeds.  Since it is in the Tobamovirus 
group, there is a possibility of transmission through seed.  
The primary host of  Tomato apical stunt viroid  (TASvd) is actually tomato  (Solanum 
lycopersicum ) from the Solanaceae family, however this agent can also be found in pepper  
(Capsicum annuum ). 
Columnea latent viroid  (CLVd) is harmf ul to various species of the Solanaceae family, in 
particular to tomatoes.  
Pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd)  is harmful to various species of Solanaceae family, in 
particular to pepper and tomato.  
The primary host of Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd)  is tomato  (Solanum 
lycopersicum ) from the Solanaceae family, and the agent can be found in some 
ornamental plants. Viroid poses a great risk to Turkey.  
In view of the dissemination of such agents in the world, in order  to prevent the 
introduction of agents into Turkey through seeds and their spread within Turkey's 
production si tes: G/SPS/N/TUR/119  
 
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  For the import of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) seeds from all countries  as of 
15 September 2021, an additional declaration will be requested on the Phytosanitary 
Certificate stating that:  
It originates in countries where Tomato mottle mosaic virus  (ToMMV), Tomato apical stunt 
viroid  (TASVd), Columnea latent viroid  (CLVd), Pepper chat fruit viroid  (PCFVd), Tomato 
chlorotic dwarf viroid  (TCDVd) is not known to occur, or in areas where the presence of 
Tomato mottle mosaic virus  (ToMMV), Tomato apical stunt viroid  (TASVd), Columnea 
latent viroid  (CLVd), Pepper chat fruit viroid  (PCFVd), Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid  
(TCDVd) is known : 
2 a. The seeds originate in a place of production known to be free from ; 
2.b. The name of the place of production ; and 
2.c. The seeds have been analyzed by the exporting country using the RT -PCR Method for 
ToMMV, TASVd, CLVd, PCFVd and TCDVd and that the produc t is free from these agents.  
For the import of pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) seeds from all countries  as of 15 September 
2021, an additional declaration will be requested on the Phytosanitary Certificate stating 
that: 
It originates in countries where the presen ce of Tomato mottle mosaic virus  (ToMMV), 
Tomato apical stunt viroid  (TASVd), Pepper chat fruit viroid  (PCFVd) is not known, or in 
areas where the presence of Tomato mottle mosaic virus  (ToMMV), Tomato apical stunt 
viroid  (TASVd), Pepper chat fruit viroid  (PCFVd) is known:  
2.a. The seeds originate in a place of production known to be free from ; 
2.b. The name of the place of production ; and  
2.c. The seeds have been analyzed by the exporting country using the RT -PCR Method for 
ToMMV, TASVd, PCFVd and that the  product is free from these agents.  
For the import of pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo ) seeds from all countries  as of 15 September 
2021, an additional declaration will be requested on the Phytosanitary Certificate stating 
that: 
It originates in countries where the presence of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus  
(ToLCNDV) is not known, or in areas where the presence of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi 
virus (ToLCNDV) is known:  
2.a. The seeds originate in a place of production known to be f ree from ; 
2.b. The name of the place of production ; and  
2.c. The seeds have been analyzed by the exporting country using the RT -PCR Method for 
ToLCNDV and that the product is free from these agents.  
7. Objective and rationale: [  ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [X]  plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [X]  protect territory from 
other damage from pests.  
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:  In view of the 
dissemination of  Tomato leaf c url New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), Tomato mottle mosaic virus 
(TomMV), Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASvd), Columnea latent viroid (CLVd), Pepper chat 
fruit viroid (PCFVd) and  Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd)  in the world, in order to 
prevent the introduct ion of these agents into Turkey through seeds and their spread within 
Turkey's production sites , it is urgent to take action.  
9. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) :  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[X] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  
[ ] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   G/SPS/N/TUR/119  
 
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  10. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:    
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable):  
This emergency measure will come into effect as of 15 September 2021. When the revision 
of the national Plant Quaranti ne Regulation is completed, a regular SPS notification will be 
made. This emergency notification will remain in effect until the Plant Quarantine 
Regulation revision is completed.  
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if 
available) of other body:   
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  
General Directorate of Food and Control  
Eskisehir Yolu 9. Km. Lodumlu Ankara - Turkey  
Tel: +(90) 312 258 7413  
Fax: +(90) 312 258 7472  
E-mail: sps@tarimorman.gov.tr  
 bitkikarantina@tarimorman.gov.tr  
Website:  http://www.tarimorman.gov.tr  
13. Text(s) available from: [X]  National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  
General Directorate of Food and Control  
Eskisehir Yolu 9. Km . Lodumlu Ankara - Turkey  
Tel: +(90) 312 258 7413  
Fax: +(90) 312 258 7472  
E-mail: sps@tarimorman.gov.tr  
 bitkikarantina@tarimorman.gov.tr  
Website:  http://www.tarimorman.gov.tr