FRANCE INCREASES BORDER CONTROLS ON CHINESE FEED AND FOOD

UNCLAS PARIS 003079 SIPDIS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED SIPDIS BRUSSELS PASS USEU FOR AGMINCOUNSELOR STATE FOR OES; EUR/ERA AND EB(SPIRNAK); STATE PASS USTR FOR MURPHY; STATE PASS FDA FOR VON ESCHENBACH/PLAISIER/BATTS USDA/OS/JOHANNS/TERPSTRA; USDA/FAS FOR OA/YOST/JACKSON/ROSADO; OCRA/CURTIS/RADLER OCBD/SHEIKH/SANDALH/SCHRAMM OSTA/BREHM OFSO/LEE/YOUNG; USDA/FSIS FOR OA/GOLDMAN/QUICK USDA/FSIS/OIA/STUCK/DANFORD EU POSTS PASS TO AGRICULTURE AND ECON GENEVA FOR USTR, ALSO AGRICULTURE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD EU FR SUBJECT: FRANCE INCREASES BORDER CONTROLS ON CHINESE FEED AND FOOD SHIPMENTS, MELANINE CONTAMINATION FOUND. ¶1. (SBU) Following the lead of the U.S. to tighten border controls following the discovery of melanine tainted feed from China, the European Commission has asked Member States to reinforce safety controls on Chinese imports. The French Ministry of Agriculture (animal and animal product imports) and Ministry of Finance - Consumer Protection (for other food imports) reacted by increasing documentary and chemical audits of Chinese feed and food shipments entering French points of entry. ¶2. (SBU) FAS Paris learned from Ministry of Agriculture contacts that a Chinese soy-based ingredient shipment destined for France was found to contain melanine when tested by Belgian officials in Antwerp. The MinAg is waiting for confirmation of these preliminary results. French officials remained concerned that all Member States stay vigilant to prevent the importation of unsafe ingredient products from China that might be processed into French feed products. ¶3. (SBU) The Ministry of Finances' Fraud and Consumer Protection Office (DGCCRF) and Customs Bureau also increased their inspections of Chinese imports, both at the border and at processing plants, to heighten the security of food products for human consumption. ¶4. (SBU) On June 29th, following the U.S. decision to ban some imports of Chinese seafood until proven to meet U.S. requirements and safety standards, EU officials asked Member States to elevate their controls on these products as well. French health officials may encourage the EU Commission to initiate more stringent measures similar to those of the U.S. ¶5. (SBU) In 2006, China exported $ 6.1 billion agricultural, fish and forestry products (up 17 percent from 2005) to the EU, of which more than $ 680 million was exported to France. Stapleton