Olive grove measure dropped from bill

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - A measure on olive cultivation will be dropped from a bill on industrial production, said the parliamentary deputy group chairman of Turkey’s ruling party on Thursday.

"The second article of the industrial package on olive groves will be withdrawn," said the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s Mustafa Elitas, adding that Parliament would continue to debate the remaining 88 articles of the law until summer recess.

The measure would have prohibited industries from operating within three kilometers (1.9 miles) of olive groves in the interest of protecting the environment.

Opposition to the measure by opposition parties and environmentalists helped lead to its withdrawal.