DEMARCHE ON U.S. CANDIDATE FOR CODEX VICE CHAIR

UNCLAS MADRID 002504 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/AGS, EB/TPP/ABT DEPT OF AGRICULTURE/FAS/ITP FOR SHEIKH, DBREHM, POMEROY DEPT OF AGRICULTURE/FAS/OA FOR TERPSTRA DEPT OF AGRICULTURE FAS/FAA FOR BLEGGI BRUSSELS PASS USEU FOR AG MINCOUNS EU POSTS PASS TO AGRICULTURE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EAGR ETRD SP SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON U.S. CANDIDATE FOR CODEX VICE CHAIR REF: (A) BERLIN 2225 (B) STATE 120306 Per ref (B),Embassy delivered demarche to Juan Carlos Calvo (Chef de Cabinet for the InterMinisterial Commission on Food Safety Regulation - Calvo is with the Spanish Food Safety Agency, which has the lead on Codex issues),Jose Perez Lazaro (Deputy Director for International Relations, Ministry of Health),Teresa Zapatero (Subdirector for Inspections and Technical Assistance, Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade),and Ana Villauriz (Deputy Director General of the Interntional Relations Department,Ministry of Agriculture). Calvo was the most open with EconOff. He said he had already received from the EU Dr.Hulebak's CV plus USG positions on Codex issues. He said he was impressed with Dr. Hulebak's CV. He mentioned that there was a Dutch candidate (see ref A). Calvo told EconOff that there were, as far as he knew, only two declared candidates for the three ViceChair positions, and that it was likely Dr. Hulebak would get one of the positions. However, Calvo would not be drawn into a discussion of Spain's likely posture should there be more than three candidates for the three ViceChair jobs. Calvo will be attending the Codex meeting. AGUIRRE