Virus-infected tomato seeds that could jeopardize agriculture were detected at customs. Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı stated regarding virus-infected tomatoes, “They were returned to their source. This is not something new.” Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı answered questions from journalists in Parliament before the AK Party Parliamentary Group Meeting. When asked about reports of viruses being detected in tomato seeds imported to Turkey, Yumaklı emphasized that products entering Turkey are inspected according to standards. Yumaklı underlined that this process continues with “zero tolerance.” He stated, “Products that do not comply with our standards are detected in this way. They are returned to their source. This is not something new. Different products can enter our country at different times. Their entry into our country is completed after the analyses are done. They are compared with health certificates, and if there is any discrepancy, they are returned to their source. Besides this, there is no situation that would cause us concern.” “WE HAVE STEPPED UP PESTICIDE INSPECTIONS” Yumaklı, when asked about allegations that products exported in recent days were returned due to containing a high level of pesticides, stated, “We destroy the detected products before they enter the country.” Yumaklı emphasized that the information that all products returned to Turkey were sent back due to pesticides is not accurate. He said, “Some of them may have changes related to aflatoxin, which is mold-related. We have also tightened inspections related to this. If a company has had more than 2 products returned, we conduct a new analysis both in the packaging facility and in the field, without allowing them to leave the country, making sure they pass through customs. We send them after conducting the analysis twice. There is a 35% decrease in products returned due to pesticide residue. We will continue to reduce this.”