Turkey recently closed down its regulatory bodies which focused specifically on sugar, alcohol and tobacco. Accordingly, the duties which were previously held by the Sugar Authority and the Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Authority have now shifted to the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock ("Ministry"), as well as to the Ministry of Health.
The Sugar Authority regulated sugar production and quotas, as well as determined export rules for sugar. However, the Sugar Authority's rights, obligations and duties have now been passed to the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock.
The Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Authority ("Tobacco and Alcohol Authority") previously granted permits for production and sale of tobacco and alcohol, as well as regulated imports and exports. These rights, obligations and duties have now been passed to the Ministry. However, the Ministry of Health becomes responsible for carrying out operations to prevent harm from tobacco and alcohol.
Any legislative reference to the Sugar Authority or the Tobacco and Alcohol Authority will now be taken as a reference to the Ministry or to the Ministry of Health.
Transactions carried out by the Sugar Authority or Tobacco and Alcohol Authority will remain valid until the new Ministry takes a new action.
The Ministry or Ministry of health becomes successor for contracts made by the prior regulatory body, as well as becomes party to lawsuits and execution proceedings which the prior regulatory body may have been involved in.
The changes were introduced by Articles 72 to 74 and 76 to 82 of Decree number 696, published in Official Gazette number 30280 on 24 December 2017. Please see the relevant legislation at this this link (only available in Turkish).
Information first published in the MA | Gazette, a fortnightly legal update newsletter produced by Moroğlu Arseven.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
