Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03THEHAGUE2607
2003-10-10 13:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

EU INTENTION TO WITHDRAW URUGUAY ROUND CONCESSIONS FOR

Tags:  EAGR ETRD EUN 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002607 

SIPDIS

USDA FOR FAS/ITP/EAMED AND FAS/CMP/GFD
STATE PASS USTR FOR PORTER
USEU BRUSSELS FOR AGRICULTURE AND ECON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD EUN
SUBJECT: EU INTENTION TO WITHDRAW URUGUAY ROUND CONCESSIONS FOR
RICE IMPORTS - NETHERLANDS RESPONSE

REF: SECSTATE 262998

PER REFTEL, POST DELIVERED TALKING POINTS TO GON MINISTRIES OF
AGRICULTURE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS.

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002607

SIPDIS

USDA FOR FAS/ITP/EAMED AND FAS/CMP/GFD
STATE PASS USTR FOR PORTER
USEU BRUSSELS FOR AGRICULTURE AND ECON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD EUN
SUBJECT: EU INTENTION TO WITHDRAW URUGUAY ROUND CONCESSIONS FOR
RICE IMPORTS - NETHERLANDS RESPONSE

REF: SECSTATE 262998

PER REFTEL, POST DELIVERED TALKING POINTS TO GON MINISTRIES OF
AGRICULTURE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS.


1. OFFICIALS AT THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, HAVE TOLD US THAT
ALTHOUGH THEY AGREED TO CHANGE THE MARGIN OF PREFERENCE SYSTEM
FOR RICE AS PART OF THE EU MID-TERM REVIEW, THEY ARE NOT IN FAVOR
OF CHANGING THE RICE IMPORT REGIME. IN A DISCUSSION WITH ATE
OOSTRA, DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR TRADE, HE AGREED THAT OPENING OF
ARTICLE XXVIII NEGOTIATIONS ON RICE WAS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF
THE DUTCH RICE MILLING INDUSTRY. WHILE OOSTRA GAVE NO INDICATION
THAT THE GON WOULD TAKE ANY INITIATIVE TO REVERSE THE ARTICLE
XXVIII PROCESS, HE WAS INTERESTED IN RECEIVING MORE SPECIFIC
INFORMATION ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF CHANGES TO THE IMPORT
REGIME. POST WILL FOLLOW UP WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.


2. ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICIALS INDICATED THAT DUTCH ASSESSMENT OF
INTRA-EU NEGOTIATING DYNAMICS MIGHT PLAY A ROLE IN DETERMINING
WHETHER THE DUTCH WILL OPPOSE THE ARTICLE XXVIII NEGOTIATION OR
TRY TO WEAKEN IT. SOBEL