CARTAGENA PROTOCOL AND BRAZIL BIOTECH REGS

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000126 SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO STATE/OES/ETC: H.LEE, STATE/EB/TPP/ABT R.SINGH, AND USDA/FAS/BIG FOR JPPASSINO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO EAGR EAID SENV KSCA BR SUBJECT: CARTAGENA PROTOCOL AND BRAZIL BIOTECH REGS REF: SECSTATE 259661 ¶1. Since the first Meeting of Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in February 2004, the GOB has introduced, but still not passed, legislation that would change regulatory practices concerning biosafety. Although, the bill is pro-GMO, it would reinforce existing labeling and documentation requirements. ¶2. Current Brazilian law maintains a threshold level of 1 percent for GMOs. Products containing more than 1 percent GMO should be labeled. These standards, however, are rarely enforced. If passed in its current form, this new legislation will maintain the requirement that food and food ingredients destined for human consumption be labeled as containing GMOs. ¶3. Comment: The GOB is not likely to readdress this issue/bill until summer. Post will update as more information becomes available. End Comment CHICOLA