EU BIOTECH MORATORIUM: CANADA READY TO JOIN AS

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000283 SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/TPP/ABT - CSCHONANDER STATE PASS USTR/JMURPHY USDA/FAS FOR BRICHIE GENEVA FOR USTR E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2008 TAGS: ETRD EAGR TBIO CA SUBJECT: EU BIOTECH MORATORIUM: CANADA READY TO JOIN AS CO-COMPLAINANT REF: A. STATE 19257 ¶B. BURNETT-MURPHY 1/21/03 TELCON ¶C. STATE 8444 ¶D. STATE 6886 Classified By: ECONOMIC COUNSELOR DAVID R. BURNETT; REASONS 1.5 (B AND D) ¶1. (C) Embassy has confirmed general GOC support for Canadian Trade Minister Pettigrew's January 17 commitment to USTR Zoellick that Canada would join the United States as co-complainant in a prospective WTO action against the EU biotech moratorium (Ref B). Ambassador Cellucci will follow up on that commitment over lunch with Minister Pettigrew January 28. ¶2. (C) EconCouns has discussed the modalities of Canada's participation with the Minister's staff, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) TBT Director Claudio Valle and Privy Council Office Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet Don Stephenson (who will be responsible for putting the issue on the Cabinet agenda). Stephenson (protect) stressed the need to co-ordinate closely on timing of any decision to move ahead with a case against the moratorium. He noted that Canadians were broadly but thinly supportive of agricultural biotech and asked what the USG was doing to encourage U.S. public support for a possible WTO case. ¶3. (C) EconCouns noted USTR Zoellick's public statements on the subject and explained that these were underscored by a well-developed public relations strategy aimed at countering European disinformation. Further, USTR officials were working directly with DFAIT and Agriculture-Canada counterparts to co-ordinate public education efforts. Stephenson said he was encouraged by this proactive and cooperative effort, and asked again that he be notified as early as possible of any USG decision to move forward. KELLY