SURINAME IMPOSES TEMPORARY BAN ON IMPORT OF US BEEF

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000009 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR: MARK SEIBEL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD EAGR NS SUBJECT: SURINAME IMPOSES TEMPORARY BAN ON IMPORT OF US BEEF REF: STATE 348293 SURINAME HAS TAKEN MEASURES TO BAN US BEEF IMPORTS DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING THE CONFIRMED CASE OF BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALPATHY (BSE) IN THE US. PER REFTEL REQUEST, ON DECEMBER 24, 2003, THE EMBASSY DELIVERED THE BSE NOTIFICATION TO THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE. ON JANUARY 4, DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND HEALTH EDMUND ROZENBLAD INFORMED THE EMBASSY THAT BEEF IMPORTS FROM THE US WERE TEMPORARILY BANNED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THE PERMANENT SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND SIPDIS ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, JASWANT SAHTOE MADE A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT ON JANUARY 2 THAT THE IMPORT OF RUMINANTS, BEEF AND BEEF PRODUCTS FROM THE USA ARE PROHIBITED UNTIL THE MINISTRY IS CONVINCED THAT THERE IS NO FURTHER DANGER OR THREAT TO ANIMAL AND HUMAN HEALTH. BARNES NNNN