Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO3325
2008-12-05 08:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
Demarche on Implementation of Amended Lacey Act
how-toVZCZCXRO9207 PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH DE RUEHKO #3325 3400851 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 050851Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9235 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RHEFHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 1281 RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 9277 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 3641 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 5072 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 1851 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 3447
UNCLAS TOKYO 003325
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/J AND OES/ENRC - MARK JOHNSEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ETRD EAGR BTIO PREL JA
SUBJECT: Demarche on Implementation of Amended Lacey Act
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
REF: STATE 126654
UNCLAS TOKYO 003325
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/J AND OES/ENRC - MARK JOHNSEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ETRD EAGR BTIO PREL JA
SUBJECT: Demarche on Implementation of Amended Lacey Act
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
REF: STATE 126654
1. (U) Environmental Officer, Senior Animal and Plant Health
Officer, and Agricultural Scientist met with Ministry of Foreign
Affairs' (MOFA) Second North America Division Deputy Director
Tsuyoshi Uchida, Global Environment Division's Toshihisa Kato,
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' (MAFF)
International Economic Affairs Division Assistant Director Tsuyoshi
Iwata, Export Promotion Office Assistant Director Junsuke Imai, and
Wood Products Trade Office Assistant Director Rumiko Yamanouchi
December 4 to deliver Reftel points.
2. (U) The MAFF officials said it will be difficult to identify the
country of origin for wood products in the absence of domestic
labeling requirements, especially for small companies that do not
source their wood directly. Currently, Japan has no such labeling
requirements. Imai hoped there would be an exemption for small
quantities such as the personal effects of Japanese moving to the
U.S. The MAFF officials indicated they would like to participate in
the public comment process for the revised Lacey Act implementing
rules and said they look forward to further clarification of the
implementing rules.
3. (SBU) In addition, the MAFF officials said Japanese paper
manufacturing companies had contacted them to ask the EMBASSY to
brief their representatives. The paper companies are concerned
about possible negative impacts on their business from the changes
to the Lacey Act. APHIS Officer said he would be happy to hold a
briefing but believed it would be more useful if it took place after
the additional implementing regulations have been published.
SCHIEFFER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/J AND OES/ENRC - MARK JOHNSEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ETRD EAGR BTIO PREL JA
SUBJECT: Demarche on Implementation of Amended Lacey Act
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
REF: STATE 126654
1. (U) Environmental Officer, Senior Animal and Plant Health
Officer, and Agricultural Scientist met with Ministry of Foreign
Affairs' (MOFA) Second North America Division Deputy Director
Tsuyoshi Uchida, Global Environment Division's Toshihisa Kato,
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' (MAFF)
International Economic Affairs Division Assistant Director Tsuyoshi
Iwata, Export Promotion Office Assistant Director Junsuke Imai, and
Wood Products Trade Office Assistant Director Rumiko Yamanouchi
December 4 to deliver Reftel points.
2. (U) The MAFF officials said it will be difficult to identify the
country of origin for wood products in the absence of domestic
labeling requirements, especially for small companies that do not
source their wood directly. Currently, Japan has no such labeling
requirements. Imai hoped there would be an exemption for small
quantities such as the personal effects of Japanese moving to the
U.S. The MAFF officials indicated they would like to participate in
the public comment process for the revised Lacey Act implementing
rules and said they look forward to further clarification of the
implementing rules.
3. (SBU) In addition, the MAFF officials said Japanese paper
manufacturing companies had contacted them to ask the EMBASSY to
brief their representatives. The paper companies are concerned
about possible negative impacts on their business from the changes
to the Lacey Act. APHIS Officer said he would be happy to hold a
briefing but believed it would be more useful if it took place after
the additional implementing regulations have been published.
SCHIEFFER