The statement reads as follows:
The Law on the Amendment of the Forestry Law and Certain Laws introduces changes such as the requirement of permission to grow certain crops, the obligation of contract farming and the leasing of uncultivated land. These changes could jeopardize smallholder farmers' independence, competitiveness and agricultural biodiversity. Legislation that will have a positive impact needs to talk about supporting local seeds, diversity, soil restoration and incentivizing farmers.
The new regulations and criminal sanctions have several drawbacks
The statement emphasized the importance of planning to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture, to ensure food security and to increase product diversity, and stated that the new regulations and criminal sanctions in the law contain drawbacks.
One of the most noteworthy changes in the law is the obligation to obtain permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry before starting production of certain products or product groups. According to the law, farmers will receive permission from the ministry to grow certain product groups. Farmers who produce without permission will be banned from subsidies for 5 years and fined.
Another important change is that contracted production will be mandatory in products and product groups to be determined by the Ministry. Criminal sanctions will be imposed on parties who renounce the contract.
The new law was prepared without involving the relevant parties
The new regulation also stipulates that agricultural lands that are not cultivated for 2 consecutive years will be leased by the Ministry. Lands that are not cultivated for 2 consecutive years will be leased primarily to residents of the settlement where the land is located or to cooperatives, unions, associations and foundations and voluntary organizations operating in the agricultural field.
The amendment on cannabis production paves the way for unauthorized initiatives within the framework of the regulations to be issued by the Ministry in production that was previously completely subject to permission.
It's been said that the new law has brought about some concerns regarding the well-being and independence of small farmers under the pressure of drought, floods, and input costs. During the preparation of the law, it was also noted that the opinions of CSOs involved in the issue, experts working on sustainable agriculture, and academics were not taken into account.
To read the full statement: https://www.bugday.org/blog/tarimda-butuncul-bir-duzenlemeye-ihtiyacimiz-var/