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Euro-reporters.com, Belgium
Turkey's hot potatoes
Contributed by David Ferguson
Wednesday, 06 April 2005
Hot potatoes from across the Bosphorus.
"There is no doubt that the proper functioning of the customs union
with Turkey should prevail, as the promotion of free trade has always
been of paramount importance to the EU. It is also our duty to care
for and protect our consumers. We cannot jeopardise public health,"
said Member of the European Parliament, Ioannis Gklavakis. He wants the
European Commission to take immediate measures against imports to the
EU of Turkish potatoes. According to the Greek, a member of the EP's
agriculture committee, the potatoes may contain high concentrations of
nitrates. Consumption of contaminated potatoes may even cause cancer.
The relevant data was submitted by Professor Sait Gezgin of Selçuk
University to a Committee of Inquiry in the Turkish Parliament. The
professor suggested the competent Turkish authorities may be failing
to undertake relevant controls and make appropriate recommendations
to farmers.
MEP Gklavakis: "Turkish potatoes are dangerous."
According to Turkish media reports, local farmers use pure nitrogen in
the production of potatoes at a much higher quantity than stipulated
by the World Health Organization. The use of pure nitrogen in high
quantities entails higher concentrations of nitrates in potatoes. MEP
Gklavakis, a member of the right-of-centre European People's Party
(EPP), says the Commission should meet its obligations in protecting
European consumers by undertaking laboratory controls of the imported
Turkish potatoes as well as by requesting further explanation from
Turkey.
Turkey's latest application to join the EU dates back to 1987 and, if
all conditions are met, the country should begin accession negotiations
in October 2005. The country is under pressure to maintain progress
on press freedoms, human rights and economic reforms. Last month,
police violence against women protesters caused dismay and serious
doubts in Brussels over the pace of change in Turkey. This week, the
Turkish government announced a two or three month delay for reform
of the country's 79-year-old penal code to meet the EU's political
standards. One of the draft articles of the revised code still deems
an offense calling for Turkish withdrawal from Cyprus or talk of the
Armenian genocide.
--Boundary_(ID_InEe7Am2gusCSwF4d47tyQ)--
Turkey's hot potatoes
Contributed by David Ferguson
Wednesday, 06 April 2005
Hot potatoes from across the Bosphorus.
"There is no doubt that the proper functioning of the customs union
with Turkey should prevail, as the promotion of free trade has always
been of paramount importance to the EU. It is also our duty to care
for and protect our consumers. We cannot jeopardise public health,"
said Member of the European Parliament, Ioannis Gklavakis. He wants the
European Commission to take immediate measures against imports to the
EU of Turkish potatoes. According to the Greek, a member of the EP's
agriculture committee, the potatoes may contain high concentrations of
nitrates. Consumption of contaminated potatoes may even cause cancer.
The relevant data was submitted by Professor Sait Gezgin of Selçuk
University to a Committee of Inquiry in the Turkish Parliament. The
professor suggested the competent Turkish authorities may be failing
to undertake relevant controls and make appropriate recommendations
to farmers.
MEP Gklavakis: "Turkish potatoes are dangerous."
According to Turkish media reports, local farmers use pure nitrogen in
the production of potatoes at a much higher quantity than stipulated
by the World Health Organization. The use of pure nitrogen in high
quantities entails higher concentrations of nitrates in potatoes. MEP
Gklavakis, a member of the right-of-centre European People's Party
(EPP), says the Commission should meet its obligations in protecting
European consumers by undertaking laboratory controls of the imported
Turkish potatoes as well as by requesting further explanation from
Turkey.
Turkey's latest application to join the EU dates back to 1987 and, if
all conditions are met, the country should begin accession negotiations
in October 2005. The country is under pressure to maintain progress
on press freedoms, human rights and economic reforms. Last month,
police violence against women protesters caused dismay and serious
doubts in Brussels over the pace of change in Turkey. This week, the
Turkish government announced a two or three month delay for reform
of the country's 79-year-old penal code to meet the EU's political
standards. One of the draft articles of the revised code still deems
an offense calling for Turkish withdrawal from Cyprus or talk of the
Armenian genocide.
--Boundary_(ID_InEe7Am2gusCSwF4d47tyQ)--