EIA exemption, expropriation authority, tax cuts… Accelerated bill for 'olive massacre' in Turkish Parliament
The new Energy and Mining Bill submitted to Parliament aims to shorten bureaucratic processes for mining activities, relax Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements, and provide tax cuts to investors. There is backlash from both the public and the opposition against the regulation, which will pave the way for opening many productive areas, including olive groves and pastures, to rent-seeking. Here is the 'olive massacre law' in 5 points and the reactions it has sparked…
Hazal Güven
Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr
The "Energy and Mining Regulations" bill, known in the public eye as the 'olive massacre law,' has been submitted to the Turkish Parliament. It brings with it a series of changes that will accelerate bureaucracy in energy projects and facilitate the opening of areas such as green spaces or agricultural land to rent-seeking.
The proposal, which envisions the slaughter of olive groves to open them up for profit, has been met with a flood of reactions. CHP Muğla MP Cumhur Uzun and İkizköy Headman Nejla Işık spoke to 12punto regarding the resubmission of the law to Parliament, which was first attempted to be introduced in 2022.
‘WITHDRAW THE OLIVE LAW, DO NOT DESTROY OUR OLIVES’
CHP Muğla MP Cumhur Uzun stated the following:
“The AKP has once again brought the law it introduced in 2022, known in the public as the ‘olive massacre law,’ to the agenda of the Turkish Parliament. This time, by providing coordinates to limit two regions, this bill—which is identical to the previous proposal—aims to eliminate and destroy olive groves. When we take the current bill and have experts examine it, we see that the olive groves in the Yeniköy, Kemerköy, and Yatağan areas are being targeted. There are many private olive grove areas in these regions, and these areas represent the future of the local people.”
Recalling the relevant sections of the Constitution, Uzun said, “Withdraw the olive law, do not destroy our olives.”
‘WE WILL SHIELD OURSELVES’
One of the most important regions targeted by the bill, known in the public as the ‘olive massacre law,’ is İkizköy in the Milas district of Muğla, where the struggle against mining initiatives has been ongoing for years. Speaking on behalf of the people living in the region, which contains countless olive trees, İkizköy Headman Nejla Işık said:
“A bill that will usurp our lives is currently in Parliament, and we villagers demand that this bill be withdrawn immediately. We have been fighting against mines here for years. We are trying to protect not only our olive trees but also our soil, our labor, our sweat, our past, and our future. Our olive trees, which we have woven stitch by stitch and carried on our backs, will be handed over to mines with this law. Just as we have shielded ourselves until now, we will continue to do so from now on.”
So, what is in the controversial bill that the AKP first brought to the agenda in 2022? Here is the 'olive massacre law' in 5 points…
1. 'Super permit' mechanism is coming
Many processes, including EIA, forestry, pasture, zoning, and infrastructure permits, will be simplified for solar, wind, and mining investments. Specifically, EIA reports will no longer be required for pasture areas within the scope of Renewable Energy Resource Areas (YEKA) projects. A special board will be established to coordinate these permits.
2. Bureaucratic process drops from 40 months to 12 months
Permit processes, which take approximately 3-4 years from the EIA process to licensing, will be reduced to 12 to 18 months with this regulation. The Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) will be able to directly issue permits such as zoning plans and easement rights on behalf of investors.
3. Tax cuts
Permit acquisition processes for wind and solar power plants in pasture and forest areas are being facilitated. Additionally, tax cuts of up to 85 percent on land rent and easement fees for investments made in factories within the scope of YEKA will continue until the end of 2025.
4. Mining activities in olive groves and pasture areas
Mining activities in natural areas such as olive groves, pastures, and forests will be able to be carried out with more flexible rules. Olive trees can be moved if deemed necessary. Furthermore, a 30 percent discount will be applied to license fees, and rehabilitation payments will be clarified.
5. Expropriation authority to EPDK
The authority for urgent expropriation for renewable energy projects is being transferred to the EPDK. This authority will be valid until 2030, and the expropriation process for energy investments will be accelerated.
Environmental organizations and opposition parties are reacting to the bill due to EIA exemptions and regulations on olive groves. The proposal is expected to be discussed in committees in the coming days.