VENEZUELA'S NON-RESPONSE ON ENDING EXPORT

UNCLAS CARACAS 000781 SIPDIS HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD TREASURY FOR MMALLOY COMMERCE FOR 4431/MAC/WH/MCAMERON FOR EEB/TPP/ABT - GCLEMENTS, JBOBO, AWINTON FOR EEB/TPP - MLURIE FOR EEB/IFD/ODF - MSIEMER FOR EEB/TPP/MTA - CVOLTMER FOR USDA/FAS - CJACKSON, MHOUSE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON PGOV VE SUBJECT: VENEZUELA'S NON-RESPONSE ON ENDING EXPORT RESTRICTIONS AND SUPPORTING BIOTECH REF: A. STATE 53346 ¶B. STATE 53353 ¶C. STATE 52628 ¶D. CARACAS 329 ¶E. CARACAS 140 ¶1. (SBU) Post delivered the points in the referenced cables via diplomatic note to the Ministry of International Relations, the Ministry of Food, the Ministry of Agriculture and Land, and the Ministry of Light Industry and Commerce (refs A, B, C). There has been no response to date and Post does not expect BRV cooperation on either the elimination of export restrictions or the promotion of biotechnology for domestic political reasons. ¶2. (SBU) Venezuela generally exports very little in the way of agricultural products. Nevertheless, it maintains trade restrictions on certain categories of food, requiring exporters to obtain "certificates of local sufficiency" prior to shipment (ref D). The BRV has also come out publicly against biotechnology (ref E). Post will continue in its efforts to open a dialogue with the BRV on these issues. FRENCH