TFFLU01: UAE H1N1 PORK BAN

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000431 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP DEPARTMENT FOR EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT (ARYAN) AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB (BHALLA) USDA/OSTA (CHAMILTON, CBEAN) STATE PLEASE PASS USTR (JBUNTIN, JDOHERTY) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD PGOV KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF, KPAO, PREL, PINR, AMGT, TF, AE SUBJECT: TFFLU01: UAE H1N1 PORK BAN REF: STATE 44254 ¶1. (SBU) Although the FAS Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) engaged early and proactively, the UAEG banned pork imports on April 27 in response to the global spread of H1N1 influenza. Individual emirates have applied the ban differently, with Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Ajman removing pork from shelves and/or ceasing pork sales. Dubai has allowed pork shipped before April 25 to be sold. Sharjah does not allow pork imports. ¶2. (SBU) ATO has repeatedly demarched federal and local authorities, including the General Secretariat of Municipalities (GSM, responsible for food safety),the Ministry of Environment and Water, and Abu Dhabi and Dubai officials since April 26, providing reftel details and additional information about the lack of a scientific basis for such a ban. ATO is translating reftel points into Arabic and will demarche key officials again in advance of a planned May 5 GSM meeting to review the ban. Senior UAEG officials have indicated to EmbOffs that the initial ban may be rescinded, but not quickly. ¶3. (SBU) Econoff separately demarched Ministry of Foreign Trade Director General (deputy minister-equivalent) Abdulla Al Saleh on April 30. Al Saleh said the Ministry was not involved in the GSM decision to announce an initial ban, as public health issues are not within the scope of the Ministry's responsibilities. Post has also requested a meeting with Ministry of Health Director General Dr. Ali Al Shakar, head of the National Action Committee for Swine Flu, to review reftel points and related issues. GREENE