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

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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

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