A LETTER FROM OLIVE FRIENDS TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE PRIME MINISTER

A LETTER FROM OLIVE FRIENDS TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE PRIME MINISTER

The Olive Friends Association (Zeytindostu Derneği) has pointed out that the legalization of the proposed amendments to the ‘Law on the Amendment and Repeal of Certain Provisions of Law No. 3573 on the Improvement of Olive Cultivation and Grafting of Wild Species’ could lead to consequences that undermine social peace, and has offered scientific solutions.

Following a meticulous study, the proposed solution package, listed in four articles, was simultaneously sent electronically to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, ministers, and all members of parliament.

As is known, the amendments approved by the Industry Commission regarding Law No. 3573 would allow mining and industrial investments in olive grove areas under the pretext of ‘public interest.’ In its current form, the law does not permit the construction or operation of any facility with harmful outputs within three kilometers of olive grove areas.

The four-article solution proposal, signed by President Murat Çetin on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Olive Friends Association, consists of science-based measures developed by experts. The association’s study also included recommendations such as imposing prison sentences of up to 10 years for erroneous outcomes resulting from the changes enabled if the bill passes.

In the proposal package prepared by the Olive Friends Association, in addition to predicting an increase in prison sentences, there are suggestions regarding the requirement for specialization in the relocation of olive trees, the invalidation of expert reports if investments deviate from their intended purpose, and the special status of monumental trees.

WARNING ON SOCIAL CONSENSUS

Association President Murat Çetin stated that the bill in question was prepared without consulting olive producers or sector representatives, and noted that they have delivered science-based solution proposals aimed at achieving consensus to the relevant authorities. Warning that the bill in its current form would damage social consensus, Çetin said:

“As the Board of Directors of the Olive Friends Association, we favor solutions with a scientific basis. Should the current draft Law pass, not only will the olive tree be destroyed for various reasons, but our social peace will also be eroded.”

4-ARTICLE SOLUTION PACKAGE

The solution package sent to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, relevant ministers, and members of parliament on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Olive Friends Association, with a request for discussion, consists of the following proposals:

1- In tenders to be opened for Highways, Railways, Airways, and even Seaways, a clause shall be added stating: “Olive trees located within the project site shall strictly not be cut down; they shall be uprooted and relocated during the tree’s dormant period in accordance with technical requirements or sold to nurserymen. The uprooting process must be carried out by professional firms (nursery producers, landscaping firms). Furthermore, since the olive grove in the project area is being destroyed, 30-40 olive saplings per decare must be planted in a different location, and their maintenance must be undertaken for at least 3 years.” Additionally, olive trees of a monumental nature should be relocated to appropriate locations (such as public areas, educational institutions, places of worship) and/or relevant museums for registration and protection.

2- For projects to be carried out in or near olive grove(*) areas, an expert report stating that no harm (regarding dust, smoke, water, moisture) will be caused to the olive trees shall be added to the pre-project file. However, if damage occurs despite this report, the business owner, project manager, and the expert who prepared the report should be subject to a prison sentence of at least 10 years with equal responsibility.

3- In all projects to be carried out in olive grove areas, project executors and implementers must receive at least one week of training at the “Bornova Olive Research Institute” and maintain the certificate in the project file. In the event of personnel changes, this training and certificate are strictly required for every new employee. These trainings will provide information on soil protection, environmental protection, olive protection, and how work should be conducted according to the phenological periods of the olive tree.

4- In investments for mining, energy, transportation, and other industries—including the relocation of trees in areas such as housing, shopping centers, tourism, and health complexes, and taking necessary measures for industries that create dust like quarries—the opinions of relevant faculty members from agricultural faculties, an official expert from the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, the Olive Research Institute, and representatives of olive-related non-governmental organizations must be obtained regarding how olive groves, pastures, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class agricultural lands will be protected, sustained, and rehabilitated at the end of the project. Especially in mining sites, areas requiring rehabilitation emerge upon the depletion of mineral reserves. The aforementioned experts must be assigned for the rehabilitation of these areas. The project manager and implementer, including the expert providing the opinion, must have criminal liability for at least 10 years. However, if the investment is diverted from its purpose, this report loses its validity because every investment has its own unique characteristics for the environment.

INVITATION FOR CONSENSUS FROM THE OLIVE FRIENDS ASSOCIATION WITH A SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE

The law titled “Law on the Improvement of Olive Cultivation and Grafting of Wild Species” No. 3573 dated 26.01.1939 was renewed by the law titled “Law on the Amendment and Repeal of Certain Provisions of Law No. 3573 on the Improvement of Olive Cultivation and Grafting of Wild Species” No. 4086 dated 28.02.1995.

As the Board of Directors of the Olive Friends Association, we favor solutions with a scientific basis. Should the current draft Law pass, not only will the olive tree be destroyed for various reasons, but our social peace will also be under threat. As the Olive Friends Association, our solution proposals to prevent negative outcomes are as follows:

(The 4 articles are repeated here with the same premium translation as above.)

Murat Çetin
Olive Friends Association
On Behalf of the Board of Directors