DELIVERY OF DEMARCHES ON FOOD SECURITY TO BRAZILIAN

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000768 SENSITIVE SIPDIS PASS TO: STATE FOR EEB/TPP/ABT AWINTON STATE FOR EEB/TPP MLURIE STATE FOR EEB/IFD/ODF MSIEMER STATE FOR EEB/TPP/MTA CVOLTMER STATE FOR EEB/TPP/ABT GCLEMENTS STATE FOR EEB/TPP/ABT JBOBO STATE FOR USAID USDA FAS/OA FOR CJACKSON USDA FAS/OA FOR MHOUSE USDA FAS/OGA FOR ACHAUDRY USDA FAS/OFSO FOR AREA DIRECTOR JBAILEY USDA FAS/OCRA FOR BZANIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR BR SUBJECT: DELIVERY OF DEMARCHES ON FOOD SECURITY TO BRAZILIAN MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE REF: A) STATE 53353, B) STATE 52628, C) STATE 53346 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ¶1. SUMMARY: Post delivered the messages indicated in reftels to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA). MAPA agrees with many of the arguments stated and shares many common positions with the U.S. government. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) USDA Under Secretary Mark Keenum and FAS Administrator Michael Yost both utilized the Third Meeting of the USA-Brazil Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA),on May 20, 2008 in Brasilia to convey to MAPA the demarche message regarding the benefits of biotechnology, as well as the harm caused by food export restrictions. ¶3. (SBU) Celio Porto, Under Secretary for International Relations, both in the CCA and in the joint press conference with Under Secretary Keenum, expressed frustration with the export restrictions put in place by Argentina. MAPA also expressed support for the position regarding biotechnology, but noted that, although Brazil has a modern legal framework in place to regulate biotechnology, the GOB still faces opposition from some anti-biotech groups in Brazil. ¶4. (SBU) Following the CCA, FAS Brasilia delivered three demarches (reftels) to Mr. Celio Porto. These demarches were "Request to End Food Staple Export Restrictions", "The President's Global Food Security Initiative and Trade" and "Biotechnology and Food Security". He acknowledged receipt of these messages and commented that Brazil and the United States have similar positions in these areas and are key players in the world to resolve food shortages. Post will follow up as further information becomes available. SOBEL