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