Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AMMAN473
2009-02-22 04:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
Jordan Lifts Restrictions on U.S. Beef
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAM #0473 0530435 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 220435Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4518 INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 6181 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 3939 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 4098 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 2108 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1578 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 5382 RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
UNCLAS AMMAN 000473
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA, EEB/TTP/ABT, ECA
CAIRO FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS PKURZ, APHIS ATTACHE EJONES
UDSA FOR FSIS, FAS/TRADE PROGRAMS, FAS/GLOBAL ANALYSIS FAS FOR
OFFICE OF GLOBAL ANALYSIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD TBIO KPAO OEXC SCUL JO
SUBJECT: Jordan Lifts Restrictions on U.S. Beef
Refs: A) 07 Amman 930
B) 06 Amman 5952
Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.
UNCLAS AMMAN 000473
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA, EEB/TTP/ABT, ECA
CAIRO FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS PKURZ, APHIS ATTACHE EJONES
UDSA FOR FSIS, FAS/TRADE PROGRAMS, FAS/GLOBAL ANALYSIS FAS FOR
OFFICE OF GLOBAL ANALYSIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD TBIO KPAO OEXC SCUL JO
SUBJECT: Jordan Lifts Restrictions on U.S. Beef
Refs: A) 07 Amman 930
B) 06 Amman 5952
Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.
1. (U) Action Request for USDA/FSIS in paragraph 7.
2. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Government of Jordan (GOJ) has removed all
product-specific restrictions on U.S. beef imports after over two
years of discussions with the USG (reftels). The Ministry of
Agriculture (MoA) has adopted the new World Organization for Animal
Health (OIE) risk-based code on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
(BSE). This significant decision is an important step for removing
trade barriers and increasing opportunities for U.S. imports into
Jordan. The MoA has requested that USDA/FSIS develop a mutually
accepted animal health certificate that meets international
standards. END SUMMARY.
Background on Restrictions
--------------
3. (SBU) Between March 22 and June 17, 2006, the GOJ stopped
issuing import licenses for U.S. beef due to reports of the
discovery of a second case of BSE in Alabama. After consultations
with Emboffs, the GOJ lifted the ban for a period of months but then
instituted regulations that limited certain types of U.S. beef
imports into Jordan, including all bone-in beef, minced, ground and
heat treated bovine meat. MoA officials justified the ban based on
a misinterpretation of the U.S. being categorized as BSE controlled
risk under the OIE code and Jordan's inability to test non-lean beef
for the presence of BSE.
4. (SBU) Post engaged the MoA, the Jordanian Food and Drug
Administration, and the Ministry of Health at the highest levels to
reconsider this decision, noting it had no scientific basis and
violated the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and WTO
commitments. During the U.S. - Jordan FTA Joint Committee meeting
in October 2008, progress was made on the issue due to an
enthusiastic MoA representative, Solaiman Al Rkaibat. Rkaibat
participated in a 2008 International Visitors' Program (IVP) on
"U.S. Trade Policy," which he credited for giving him a better
understanding of different trade enhancing systems in agriculture.
Since that time, FAS Amman and MoA worked together to gain
acceptance at different institutional levels to remove any
unjustified restriction on U.S. beef.
Agriculture Ministry Lifts U.S. Beef Restrictions
-------------- --------------
5. (U) On February 11, 2009, the GoJ notified the World Trade
Organization's Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
(notification number G/SPS/N/Jor/19) that all countries categorized
as "negligible and controlled BSE risk are likely to be eligible to
export bovine meat and meat products to Jordan." The notification
was based on a new interpretation of the OIE risk-based code taken
by an interagency Jordanian BSE Committee on October 19, 2008
according to OIE regulations (articles 11.6.3, 11.6.4, 11.6.6,
11.6.7 and 11.6.8 of Terrestrial Animal Health Code).
6. (U) The MoA began issuing unrestricted import licenses for U.S.
beef and beef products on February 10, 2009. The MoA notified the
Embassy on February 16 that it was also ready to discuss a new USDA
animal health certificate. NOTE: Import licenses are currently
being issued on the basis of the old USDA health certificates. MOA
will continue to accept these old certificates until a new one is
agreed upon. END NOTE.
7. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: This is a significant step forward in
removing trade barriers and increasing opportunities for U.S.
imports into Jordan. The GOJ has requested that USDA/FSIS propose
an animal health certificate that includes all items listed in this
decision and meets international standards. Post urges USDA/FSIS to
respond with an initial proposal as quickly as possible on this
matter.
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
Beecroft
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA, EEB/TTP/ABT, ECA
CAIRO FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS PKURZ, APHIS ATTACHE EJONES
UDSA FOR FSIS, FAS/TRADE PROGRAMS, FAS/GLOBAL ANALYSIS FAS FOR
OFFICE OF GLOBAL ANALYSIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD TBIO KPAO OEXC SCUL JO
SUBJECT: Jordan Lifts Restrictions on U.S. Beef
Refs: A) 07 Amman 930
B) 06 Amman 5952
Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.
1. (U) Action Request for USDA/FSIS in paragraph 7.
2. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Government of Jordan (GOJ) has removed all
product-specific restrictions on U.S. beef imports after over two
years of discussions with the USG (reftels). The Ministry of
Agriculture (MoA) has adopted the new World Organization for Animal
Health (OIE) risk-based code on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
(BSE). This significant decision is an important step for removing
trade barriers and increasing opportunities for U.S. imports into
Jordan. The MoA has requested that USDA/FSIS develop a mutually
accepted animal health certificate that meets international
standards. END SUMMARY.
Background on Restrictions
--------------
3. (SBU) Between March 22 and June 17, 2006, the GOJ stopped
issuing import licenses for U.S. beef due to reports of the
discovery of a second case of BSE in Alabama. After consultations
with Emboffs, the GOJ lifted the ban for a period of months but then
instituted regulations that limited certain types of U.S. beef
imports into Jordan, including all bone-in beef, minced, ground and
heat treated bovine meat. MoA officials justified the ban based on
a misinterpretation of the U.S. being categorized as BSE controlled
risk under the OIE code and Jordan's inability to test non-lean beef
for the presence of BSE.
4. (SBU) Post engaged the MoA, the Jordanian Food and Drug
Administration, and the Ministry of Health at the highest levels to
reconsider this decision, noting it had no scientific basis and
violated the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and WTO
commitments. During the U.S. - Jordan FTA Joint Committee meeting
in October 2008, progress was made on the issue due to an
enthusiastic MoA representative, Solaiman Al Rkaibat. Rkaibat
participated in a 2008 International Visitors' Program (IVP) on
"U.S. Trade Policy," which he credited for giving him a better
understanding of different trade enhancing systems in agriculture.
Since that time, FAS Amman and MoA worked together to gain
acceptance at different institutional levels to remove any
unjustified restriction on U.S. beef.
Agriculture Ministry Lifts U.S. Beef Restrictions
-------------- --------------
5. (U) On February 11, 2009, the GoJ notified the World Trade
Organization's Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
(notification number G/SPS/N/Jor/19) that all countries categorized
as "negligible and controlled BSE risk are likely to be eligible to
export bovine meat and meat products to Jordan." The notification
was based on a new interpretation of the OIE risk-based code taken
by an interagency Jordanian BSE Committee on October 19, 2008
according to OIE regulations (articles 11.6.3, 11.6.4, 11.6.6,
11.6.7 and 11.6.8 of Terrestrial Animal Health Code).
6. (U) The MoA began issuing unrestricted import licenses for U.S.
beef and beef products on February 10, 2009. The MoA notified the
Embassy on February 16 that it was also ready to discuss a new USDA
animal health certificate. NOTE: Import licenses are currently
being issued on the basis of the old USDA health certificates. MOA
will continue to accept these old certificates until a new one is
agreed upon. END NOTE.
7. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: This is a significant step forward in
removing trade barriers and increasing opportunities for U.S.
imports into Jordan. The GOJ has requested that USDA/FSIS propose
an animal health certificate that includes all items listed in this
decision and meets international standards. Post urges USDA/FSIS to
respond with an initial proposal as quickly as possible on this
matter.
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
Beecroft