Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LISBON1560
2007-06-06 16:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:
PORTUGAL ON JUNE 8 BIOTECH VOTE
how-toVZCZCXRO7427 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHLI #1560 1571641 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 061641Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5963 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 001560
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PASS TO USTR, USDA/FAS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2017
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD EU PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL ON JUNE 8 BIOTECH VOTE
REF: A. SECSTATE 74307
B. LISBON 1251
C. LISBON 1057
Classified By: Inga Heemink, Pol/Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon,
Reasons 1.4(b) and 1.4(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 001560
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PASS TO USTR, USDA/FAS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2017
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD EU PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL ON JUNE 8 BIOTECH VOTE
REF: A. SECSTATE 74307
B. LISBON 1251
C. LISBON 1057
Classified By: Inga Heemink, Pol/Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon,
Reasons 1.4(b) and 1.4(d).
1. (C/NF) On June 5, PolEconOff delivered reftel A talking
points to Rui Noronho from the Ministry of Agriculture Office
of Planning and Policies (GPPAA),urging Portugal to vote
favorably at the June 8 Standing Committee of the Food Chain
and Public Health. Noronho reiterated the Portuguese policy
not to block the vote on biotech varieties approved by the
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) unless specific
concerns were raised. On June 6, a close Embassy contact and
Portuguese biotech expert provided further details on the
Minister of Agriculture's voting instructions. He reported
in confidence that Portugal was inclined to vote favorably on
the Herculex Root Worm variety. However, in regards to the
NK603xMON810 and 1507xNK603 stacked corn varieties, he noted
that Portugal intends to follow Spain and only vote favorably
if the Commission submits a report detailing the procedures
to be used to detect and quantify these products in the EU.
(Note: While not a member of government, we have found our
contact to be the most accurate indicator of Portugal's
biotech voting (reftels B and C)).
Hoffman
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PASS TO USTR, USDA/FAS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2017
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD EU PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL ON JUNE 8 BIOTECH VOTE
REF: A. SECSTATE 74307
B. LISBON 1251
C. LISBON 1057
Classified By: Inga Heemink, Pol/Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon,
Reasons 1.4(b) and 1.4(d).
1. (C/NF) On June 5, PolEconOff delivered reftel A talking
points to Rui Noronho from the Ministry of Agriculture Office
of Planning and Policies (GPPAA),urging Portugal to vote
favorably at the June 8 Standing Committee of the Food Chain
and Public Health. Noronho reiterated the Portuguese policy
not to block the vote on biotech varieties approved by the
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) unless specific
concerns were raised. On June 6, a close Embassy contact and
Portuguese biotech expert provided further details on the
Minister of Agriculture's voting instructions. He reported
in confidence that Portugal was inclined to vote favorably on
the Herculex Root Worm variety. However, in regards to the
NK603xMON810 and 1507xNK603 stacked corn varieties, he noted
that Portugal intends to follow Spain and only vote favorably
if the Commission submits a report detailing the procedures
to be used to detect and quantify these products in the EU.
(Note: While not a member of government, we have found our
contact to be the most accurate indicator of Portugal's
biotech voting (reftels B and C)).
Hoffman