Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ROME1412
2007-06-27 16:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY TO ABSTAIN IN EU VOTE ON "HERCULEX" GM CORN
how-toVZCZCXRO7392 PP RUEHFL RUEHNP DE RUEHRO #1412 1781640 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 271640Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8446 RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY 4545 INFO RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 2491 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 8772 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 2647 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 4537
UNCLAS ROME 001412
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USTR - D. VETTER
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR FAS - ELIZABETH JONES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD ECON EU IT
SUBJECT: ITALY TO ABSTAIN IN EU VOTE ON "HERCULEX" GM CORN
APPROVAL
REF: A. STATE 86332
B. ROME 1232
UNCLAS ROME 001412
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USTR - D. VETTER
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR FAS - ELIZABETH JONES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD ECON EU IT
SUBJECT: ITALY TO ABSTAIN IN EU VOTE ON "HERCULEX" GM CORN
APPROVAL
REF: A. STATE 86332
B. ROME 1232
1. (U) On June 22, Minister Counselor for Agricultural
Affairs delivered Ref A points on EU approval for a biotech
corn variety, "Herculex Root Worm," for feed and food
purposes to Dr. Romano Marabelli, Ministry of Health Director
General for Animal and Human Health. Marabelli confirmed
that, as reported in Ref B, Italy would abstain in the June
25th vote.
2. (U) Although it resulted in the referral of Herculex's
approval to the EU Council, we note that Italy's decision to
abstain is an improvement over its previous long established
practice of voting against the introduction of biotech
products into the EU market regardless of any merit or
positive assessment by the European Food Safety Authority
(EFSA).
3. (SBU) In a telephone conversation with AgMinCoun on the
morning of June 25, Marabelli indicated Italy's original
intent was to vote "yes" in Brussels. Marabelli said the
decision to abstain was driven by pressures brought to bear
by the Greens and some farmer and consumer organizations
following EU approval of an adventitious presence level for
GM content in organic foods of 0.9 percent. Marabelli
claimed Italy would have voted to approve Herculex if Italy's
abstention would have led to a blocking majority.
Spogli
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USTR - D. VETTER
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR FAS - ELIZABETH JONES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD ECON EU IT
SUBJECT: ITALY TO ABSTAIN IN EU VOTE ON "HERCULEX" GM CORN
APPROVAL
REF: A. STATE 86332
B. ROME 1232
1. (U) On June 22, Minister Counselor for Agricultural
Affairs delivered Ref A points on EU approval for a biotech
corn variety, "Herculex Root Worm," for feed and food
purposes to Dr. Romano Marabelli, Ministry of Health Director
General for Animal and Human Health. Marabelli confirmed
that, as reported in Ref B, Italy would abstain in the June
25th vote.
2. (U) Although it resulted in the referral of Herculex's
approval to the EU Council, we note that Italy's decision to
abstain is an improvement over its previous long established
practice of voting against the introduction of biotech
products into the EU market regardless of any merit or
positive assessment by the European Food Safety Authority
(EFSA).
3. (SBU) In a telephone conversation with AgMinCoun on the
morning of June 25, Marabelli indicated Italy's original
intent was to vote "yes" in Brussels. Marabelli said the
decision to abstain was driven by pressures brought to bear
by the Greens and some farmer and consumer organizations
following EU approval of an adventitious presence level for
GM content in organic foods of 0.9 percent. Marabelli
claimed Italy would have voted to approve Herculex if Italy's
abstention would have led to a blocking majority.
Spogli