GAMBIA: MESSAGE ELIVERED ON U.S. GENETICALLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000524 SIPDIS SIPDIS DAKAR OOR USDA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2016 TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO GA SUBJECT: GAMBIA: MESSAGE ELIVERED ON U.S. GENETICALLY ENGINEERED RICE (LLRICE601) REF: SECSTATE 136471 Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES C. PATRICIA ALSUP, REASON 1.4 (B AND D ) ¶1. (C) Charge delivered Reftel message to Dr. Badara Loum, Permanent Secretary of the Gambian Department of State for Agriculture. Dr. Loum was previously unaware of Secretary Johann's announcement and was pleased that we had brought the information regarding the discovery of trace amounts of GE rice in U.S. commercial rice to his attention. He noted that much of the rice that comes to The Gambia as food aid comes from the U.S. and described genetically engineered foods as a "very contentious issue" in the subregion. He also noted that the subregional drought control ogranization, CILSS (Interstate Committee for the Control of Drought in the Sahel),had commisioned a still-to-be completed study on genetically modified foods. ¶2. (C) Charge gave copies of Secretary Johann's statement and the Fact Sheet on GE Rice to the PS and noted that just as the U.S. had readily and rapidly released this information we hoped that The Gambia would be similarly forthcoming in the event of a potential or perceived health risk in The Gambia. The PS expressed appreciation for the transparency demonstrated by the U.S. on this issue and assured Charge that he would try to ensure that his government reciprocated if the need arose. The PS then stated that he expected to have the opportunity to share the information we provided with the National Agricultural Research Institute later in the day and that he would contact the Embassy if there were questions. At the end of the meeting, the PS noted that The Gambia produces only one third of the rice it needs and thus is dependent on imported rice. ALSUP