BSE Notification to Turkish Government

UNCLAS ANKARA 000002 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/SE, EB/EPD, AND EB/TPP/ABT DEPT PLEASE PASS USTR FOR NOVELLI, DBIRDSEY, JHOFEMEISTER USDA FOR FAS FOR ITP/MACKE, MEYER, HANSEN, DLP FOR WETZEL AND WAINIO USDOC FOR DEFALCO VIENNA FOR APHIS/SLITER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD EAGR KPAO TU SUBJECT: BSE Notification to Turkish Government Ref: State 348293 ¶1. ON DECEMBER 30, AGCOUNSELOR DELIVERED TALKING POINTS FROM REFTEL CONCERNING BSE TO THE TURKISH DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE DIRECTOR OF PROTECTION AND CONTROL, TURKEY'S VETERINARY AND QUARANTINE SERVICE. ON DECEMBER 24TH, THE GOVERNMENT OF TURKEY ISSUE A REGULATION BANNING IMPORTS OF LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS FROM THE UNITED STATES. ¶2. Both the Deputy Under Secretary and the Director of Protection and Control expressed their sympathy for the situation in the United States noting that farmers in every country have difficult lives anyway without these types of problems. They also remarked that, despite the U.S. financial and scientific resources that most other countries do not possess, such an incident still occurred. The Turkish officials also expressed appreciation the information we provided in the cable and the fact that we had initiated the meeting. We promised to keep them updated on the situation. -------------- -------------- CONFIRMATION: MOST OTHER PRODUCTS WILL BE PERMITTED -------------- -------------- ¶3. Turkish officials confirmed imports of semen, embryos, hides and skins as well as tallow (for soap) will not be banned by Turkey. For embryos, the Turks are currently re- writing regulations which we will forward to Washington as soon as they are completed. However, imports of live cattle and pet food are currently banned. Turkey does not permit any imports of red meat or poultry. -------------- -------------- Impact on Breeding Livestock and Pet Food Shippers -------------- -------------- ¶4. The banning of breeding cattle will put an end to a promising export market. Over 1500 head of high dairy and beef breeding stock had been imported by several companies and additional orders were planned. U.S. Pet food exports to Turkey are approximately US 5 million a year. ¶5. One pet food importer who had shipped 4 containers of product prior to December 24 had contacted our office concerned that the shipment would not be permitted into Turkey. Initially, we had been informed by a contact at Protection and Control that no shipments arriving after December 23 would be allowed entry into the country. During our meetings we raised the issue noting that Russia and Egypt were allowing shipments sent prior to the announcement. On December 31, the importer was informed that the shipments would be permitted. ¶6. Turkish officials reported that they are checking cattle received from the U.S. in 2001 and 2003, but do not expect any problems. EDELMAN