AG BIOTECH FREEZE IN FRANCE: NEXT STEPS FOR U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 004368

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO USTR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2027
TAGS: ECON ETRD EAG PREL SENV FR
SUBJECT: AG BIOTECH FREEZE IN FRANCE: NEXT STEPS FOR U.S.

REF: A/ PARIS 4170 B/ PARIS 4139 C/ PARIS 3967

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Classified by Econ M/C Seth Winnick; reasons 1.4 (b),(d) and
(e).


1. (C) Summary: President Sarkozy announced October 25 a
number of significant steps on the environment following
the conclusion of the "Grenelle" consultative process
(Septel). Environment is a key focal point for his
administration and, in contrast to key foreign policy
issues, is an area in which Sarkozy differs sharply from
the USG. Agricultural biotech, long a contentious
bilateral issue, will be "frozen" in France and a new "High
Authority" will determine not only if such products are
safe, but also whether such products are for "the greater
good." Our options are limited. There is broad and deep
public fear of GMOs in France. While BT corn is growing in
popularity with French farmers, public support by farm
organizations has been both timid and late. The president
of the national farm association (FNSEA) publicly supported
a moratorium, as long as a new biotech law is in place by
next spring. A strident public USG reaction would
reinforce public support for the measure in France and in
Europe. We recommend a measured public posture and a
blunter private one underlining our commitment to work with
France but reminding France of it commitments under EU and
WTO rules. In the near term, the upcoming visits of
Agriculture Minister Barnier November 1 and President
Sarkozy November 6-7, provide an opportunity for us to
reiterate our serious concerns. End Summary.

Sarkozy's Message on Ag Biotech
--------------

2. (SBU) Following is an unofficial translation of Sarkozy's
speech as delivered. This should be taken literally and
exactly as a statement of French policy. Begin text:

The precautionary principle is not a principle of inaction,
but a principle of action and expertise to reduce
uncertainty. It is not a principle of prohibition, but a
principle of vigilance and transparency. It must therefore
be interpreted as a principle of responsibility.

The truth is we have doubts about the current interest of
pesticide-GMOs, the truth is we have doubts on the control
of GMO dissemination, the truth is we have doubts about the
health and environmental benefits of GMOs.

I don't want to put myself in contradiction with the
European Union, but I need to make choices.

Under the precautionary principle, I want commercial
planting of pesticide-GMOs to be suspended, awaiting the
conclusions of an expert evaluation to be conducted by a
new authority that will be created before the end of the
year, in consultation with the Grenelle of the Environment
and the EU Commission.

I accept my responsibilities, respecting my commitments.
France is committed to transpose the EU Directive by spring

2008. I don't want to be caught in the act of
contradiction. I want a suspension because it is in the
name of the precautionary principle.

At the same time, France plays its role in Europe. France
knows its obligations, and we will transpose the Directive
and will discuss it together.

The Grenelle establishes new principles regulating GMO
cultivation and research. I think of the principle of
transparency, I think of the right to produce with or
without GMOs, I think of the obligation to prove the
environmental and health benefits of GMOs. These
principles, Jean-Louis Borloo will incorporate them into
the transposition bill. And then, there will be a rule,
transparency, and everyone will accept their
responsibilities.

Suspending commercial production of pesticide-GMOs does not
mean, and I want to be clear on this, that we must condemn
all GMOs, and more specifically GMOs of the future. We
must accelerate research. I don't accept test plot
destructions. What we propose in reality is going back to
democracy, debate, transparency, decision only for the
general interest, and not only commercial interest, and
responsibility. In return, everyone should go back to the
rule of law, debate, but not abuse and violence. No-one
will make me accept that it is normal to violate private
property.

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End Text

The Options
--------------

3. (C) Our options for responding to the French
Announcement are limited. We have lobbied the GOF
extensively on this issue over a long period, and made our
views on the freeze clear. A strident USG public position
would likely increase support for these measures in
France. Embassy recommends a measured approach in public
and a stiffer one in private both stressing USG willingness
to share scientific data, regulatory procedures and
experience to date and reiterating the importance of respecting
EU and WTO procedures.


4. (C) The upcoming visit of Agricultural Minister Barnier
to Washington November 1 provides an immediate opportunity
to deliver a measured but tough message. We understand
Barnier hopes to use his visit in part to polish his
international credentials as he reportedly hopes to move on
from the Agriculture Ministry to foreign policy job,
possibly in Brussels. We should make sure he hears the
same message in all his meetings in Washington; that any
new non-scientific barriers to agricultural biotech are
detrimental
not only to the bi-lateral relationship but will likely
result in EU and WTO action against France. President
Sarkozy's visit November 6-7 also provides an opportunity
for us to signal our concerns at the highest level.

Recommendation
--------------

5. (C) A measured public, but firm private, response is
recommended. While USG efforts thus far have not had
great success, the GOF approach could have wider
repercussions in Europe and further afield for the
commercialization of agriculture biotechnology. Post
stands ready to work with the new High Authority to
encourage it to meet with USDA, FDA, EPA, and also the U.S
farming sector and industry to learn how we manage
agricultural and environmental issues. Post also believes
it would be useful, in conjunction with USEU, to urge the
European Commission to intervene in a meaningful way with
France.

STAPLETON