KYRGYZSTAN BANS U.S. MEAT OVER H1N1 FLU FEARS

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000444 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN ANKARA FOR AGRICULTURE (RALPH GIFFORD) VIENNA FOR APHIS (JAY MITCHELL) COMMERCE FOR ITA (STARKS/HOUSE) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU EAGR ETRD TBIO KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN BANS U.S. MEAT OVER H1N1 FLU FEARS REF: STATE 44254 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On April 28, Kyrgyz veterinary officials announced a ban on U.S. meat exports to Kyrgyzstan over fears of the H1N1 flu virus. Announced as a "temporary" measure, no written version of the ban has been published. Although in receipt of statements from international organizations which indicate that food products are not a known source of the virus, the Kyrgyz veterinary service informed the Embassy that their ban, which does not restrict all U.S. meat products, mimics Kazakh measures and suggested resolving the issue with Kazakhstan in order to achieve a lifting of the ban in Kyrgyzstan. End summary. Kyrgyz Announce Ban on U.S. Meat Exports -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Following an April 28 directive from Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov for Kyrgyz officials to take all necessary measures to protect the country from the H1N1 ("swine") flu virus, including "strengthening sanitary controls on markets especially where meat is traded," Kyrgyz Veterinary Department Deputy Director Kubanychbek Musakeev announced a ban on all meat imports from the United States that same day. Veterinary Department Director Baimbet Murataliev told the Embassy April 29 that the ban would be "temporary," and confirmed that no written public decree existed regarding this ban. Murataliev intimated that it was easier to ban everything than to try to discriminate among different U.S. exports. ¶3. (SBU) On April 30 Embassy sent Murataliev a letter, accompanied by statements from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE),which explained that meat products were not a known source of the H1N1 flu virus. Kyrgyz government offices were closed from May 1 until May 6 for holidays, delaying additional engagement with Kyrgyz veterinary authorities on the issue. However, Embassy has since forwarded the joint May 2 FAO/OIE/WHO/WTO H1N1 virus statement, which highlighted the fact that there is no evidence of H1N1 transmission from food. Kyrgyz Try to Explain -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Veterinary Department Export/Import Control Sector Chief Talant Uzakbaev told Embassy May 7 that the ban, in fact, did not cover all U.S. exports. Uzakbaev said that Kyrgyz measures against U.S. exports mimicked Kazakh controls, and argued that if the United States wanted Kyrgyzstan to lift its ban then we needed to "resolve the issue with Kazakhstan." Comment -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Kyrgyz officials often turn to Kazakhstan and Russia for guidance and ideas in politics, economics, trade and many other fields. It is likely that Kyrgyz officials will not act to lift the ban until similar bans are eliminated in Russia and Kazakhstan. While U.S. porcine exports are not significant in Kyrgyzstan, U.S. chicken is one of the largest U.S. exports to Kyrgyzstan. Available U.S. trade data do not accurately reflect this market due to the mislabeling of most exports as being destined for Kazakhstan. Given the importance of chicken exports, Embassy suggests that future statements on H1N1 address not only porcine products, but poultry as well. GFOELLER