Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MUSCAT491
2008-06-30 12:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
USDA STAGES TRANSBOUNDARY ANIMAL DISEASES WORKSHOP
how-toVZCZCXRO6389 RR RUEHDE DE RUEHMS #0491 1821258 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 301258Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9756 INFO RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 0364 RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000491
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PI, EEB/TPP/ATT
DUBAI FOR ATO DWILLIAMS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD ECON KMPI MU
SUBJECT: USDA STAGES TRANSBOUNDARY ANIMAL DISEASES WORKSHOP
IN OMAN
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000491
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PI, EEB/TPP/ATT
DUBAI FOR ATO DWILLIAMS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD ECON KMPI MU
SUBJECT: USDA STAGES TRANSBOUNDARY ANIMAL DISEASES WORKSHOP
IN OMAN
1. (U) On June 22, the USDA, in association with Oman's
Ministry of Agriculture, opened a five-day workshop on the
effect of transboundary animal diseases on international
trade for over 30 government officials from the Gulf
Cooperation Council and Yemen. The seminar, sponsored by the
Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI),provided
participants with updated information on transboundary
diseases affecting the trade of live animals and their
products. It covered international standards, risk
assessment methods, and best practices to assist in the
development and maintenance of science-based trade
regulations. The seminar also enabled participants to
describe key livestock and poultry diseases that cause
non-tariff trade barriers, as well as to discuss approaches
for eradicating such diseases.
2. (U) In opening remarks to conference participants, CDA
highlighted the importance of having effective regulatory
mechanisms in place to protect consumers, domestic
agriculture, and the environment from potential outbreaks of
animal diseases, especially in the wake of increasingly
international food trade. CDA further stressed that it was
vital for governments to develop regulatory standards and
requirements based on principles of sound science and
transparency in order to meet the growing global demand for
agricultural products.
3. (SBU) Comment. This workshop will bolster USG efforts to
facilitate U.S. animal exports by ensuring that GCC officials
understand the importance of transparent,
internationally-recognized standards to trade. The benefit
can be seen in avoiding a repeat of actions taken by the
Ministry of Agriculture in 2006 to block U.S beef shipments
to Oman after the USG reported two BSE cases to the World
Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The ban was lifted
only after the USG reminded Oman of its WTO, FTA, and OIE
commitments with regard to such shipments. End Comment.
FONTENEAU
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PI, EEB/TPP/ATT
DUBAI FOR ATO DWILLIAMS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD ECON KMPI MU
SUBJECT: USDA STAGES TRANSBOUNDARY ANIMAL DISEASES WORKSHOP
IN OMAN
1. (U) On June 22, the USDA, in association with Oman's
Ministry of Agriculture, opened a five-day workshop on the
effect of transboundary animal diseases on international
trade for over 30 government officials from the Gulf
Cooperation Council and Yemen. The seminar, sponsored by the
Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI),provided
participants with updated information on transboundary
diseases affecting the trade of live animals and their
products. It covered international standards, risk
assessment methods, and best practices to assist in the
development and maintenance of science-based trade
regulations. The seminar also enabled participants to
describe key livestock and poultry diseases that cause
non-tariff trade barriers, as well as to discuss approaches
for eradicating such diseases.
2. (U) In opening remarks to conference participants, CDA
highlighted the importance of having effective regulatory
mechanisms in place to protect consumers, domestic
agriculture, and the environment from potential outbreaks of
animal diseases, especially in the wake of increasingly
international food trade. CDA further stressed that it was
vital for governments to develop regulatory standards and
requirements based on principles of sound science and
transparency in order to meet the growing global demand for
agricultural products.
3. (SBU) Comment. This workshop will bolster USG efforts to
facilitate U.S. animal exports by ensuring that GCC officials
understand the importance of transparent,
internationally-recognized standards to trade. The benefit
can be seen in avoiding a repeat of actions taken by the
Ministry of Agriculture in 2006 to block U.S beef shipments
to Oman after the USG reported two BSE cases to the World
Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The ban was lifted
only after the USG reminded Oman of its WTO, FTA, and OIE
commitments with regard to such shipments. End Comment.
FONTENEAU