Turkey has announced rules for establishing and operating control and checkpoints for fruit, vegetable and other high demand goods, to ensure sufficient supply and demand. Under the rules, municipalities must establish, equip and operate checkpoints. The primary tasks for checkpoints are to determine whether fruit and vegetables comply with related identification documents and that such documents have been entered into the electronic wholesales market system.
Turkey’s Ministry of Customs and Trade and Ministry of Internal Affairs published the Communiqué on Procedures and Principles of Establishment and Operation of Control and Check Points (“Communiqué”) in Official Gazette number 29792 on 4 August 2016, entering into effect on the same date.
Notable provisions introduced by the Communiqué include:
- Municipalities must establish control and check points at entry/exit points to city/town centers and expressways, situated and built in a manner to avoid hampering traffic order and safety.
- Control and check points must be located a proper distance from roadside check points operated by other institutions.
- Municipalities must procure all necessary equipment for control and check points.
- Nationwide roadside control and check stations established by the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications can be used as common check points, under protocols executed by municipalities.
- Checkpoint staffing must be planned to allow sufficient checks to occur, considering seasonal production and interprovincial transport.
- Checks will include review of identification documents to determine whether fruit and vegetables stopped at control and check points have been entered into the electronic wholesales market system.
- Control and checkpoints which were established before 4 August 2016 will continue to operate within the framework of the Communiqué’s procedures and principles.
Please see this link for the full text of the Communiqué.
