THAILAND'S RESPONSE REGARDING CODEX AD HOC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005882

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/JACK BOBO
USDA FOR FAS/BIG/DAWN WILLIAMS

E.O. 12958:NA
TAGS: EAGR ETRD TBIO TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND'S RESPONSE REGARDING CODEX AD HOC
INTERGOVERNMENTAL TASK FORCE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY

REF: STATE 147159
STATE 165836


1. Post contacted Thai lead of delegation, Ms. Orathai
Silapanapaporn, Assistant Director, Office of Commodity
and System Standards, National Bureau of Agricultural
Commodity and Food Standards regarding ref tel action
request.


2. Thai position on questions posed in reftel is as
follows:

The responses below from the Thai Delegation who will
attend the Task Force meeting in Japan should be only
considered as tentative positions of Thailand at the
moment. The MOAC's Permanent Secretary must approve
the final positions within this week.

- The United States is extremely interested in the Task
Force developing guidance for the food safety
assessment of low levels of material from transgenic
plants in the food supply. Will your country support
the U.S. position in the Task Force?

Yes, we will.

- Are you planning to send a delegation to the Task
Force meeting? If so, who will be the Head of your
Delegation?

Yes, we are. The Head of Delegation is Ms. Orathai
Silapanapaporn, Assistant Director, Office of Commodity
and System Standards, National Bureau of Agricultural
Commodity and Food Standards.

- If a project on low level presence is undertaken by
the Task Force, issues may arise such as the
consideration of establishing thresholds. What are
your views on this issue? (if supportive of thresholds:
Could thresholds discussion on what science-based
factors could be considered on a case-by-case basis
take place at a subsequent reconvening of the Task
Force?)

Thailand agrees to consider establishing thresholds on
science-based evidence. Thailand would like to see the
outcome of this meeting of the Task Force before
determining whether further thresholds discussion on
what science-based factors could be considered on a
case-by-case basis take place at a subsequent
reconvening of the Task Force.

- Based on the information we have obtained to date,
many countries have chosen a project on transgenic
animals as a priority within the Task Force. Is your
country supportive of the Task Force undertaking work
in this area?

Thailand takes a project on transgenic animals as a low
priority, but we have no objection to the Task Force in
undertaking work in this area.

- (If supportive of work on transgenic animals) If the
Task Force undertakes a project on transgenic animals,
what are your expectations?

No comment.

- If a project on transgenic animals is undertaken
within the Task Force, issues such as ethical and
animal welfare issues may arise. How do you believe
these issues should be addressed within this project?
Should another international organization such as OIE
address these issues?

Thailand would like to reserve our position on these
issues.

- Is your delegation interested in meeting with the
U.S. delegation in Chiba? If so, please let us know
your contact person at the Task Force meeting in Chiba.

We don't mind if the U.S. Delegation would request a
meeting with us. The contact person from Thailand is
the Head of Thai Delegation (Ms. Oratai
Silapanapaporn).


3. In summary, Post ascertained that the Thais will
participate, will support the U.S. position on the task
force, would enjoy meeting the U.S. delegation, but
reserves their position on transgenic animals for the
moment.

Arvizu