Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CARACAS544
2009-04-30 17:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
VENEZUELA: NO RESPONSE ON CODEX FOOD LABELING
how-toVZCZCXRO3676 PP RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC DE RUEHCV #0544 1201701 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 301701Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2981 INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS RUEAHLC/DHS WASHDC RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION RUEABND/DEA HQ WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000544
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/MTA JBOBO
USTR FOR MELISSA CLARKSON
HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
COMMERCE FOR 4332/MAC/WH/JLAO
TREASURY FOR RJARPE
NSC FOR RKING
SECSTATE PASS AGRICULTURE ELECTRONICALLY FOR PRISCILLA
JOSEPH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2019
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL ETRD EINV EAGR VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: NO RESPONSE ON CODEX FOOD LABELING
DEMARCHE
REF: A. SECSTATE 38413
B. 2008 CARACAS 968
Classified By: Economic Counselor Darnall Steuart for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000544
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/MTA JBOBO
USTR FOR MELISSA CLARKSON
HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
COMMERCE FOR 4332/MAC/WH/JLAO
TREASURY FOR RJARPE
NSC FOR RKING
SECSTATE PASS AGRICULTURE ELECTRONICALLY FOR PRISCILLA
JOSEPH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2019
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL ETRD EINV EAGR VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: NO RESPONSE ON CODEX FOOD LABELING
DEMARCHE
REF: A. SECSTATE 38413
B. 2008 CARACAS 968
Classified By: Economic Counselor Darnall Steuart for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Post delivered reftel A remarks to potential members
of Venezuela's currently defunct CODEX committee on April 23.
Although there has been no official response and none is
anticipated, Venezuelan participation in the May 2009 Calgary
meeting is unlikely. Several potential CODEX committee
members reported they were unaware of the meeting, but do
plan to attend an upcoming conference on food labeling in
China. There are indications that Venezuela may reestablish
its CODEX committee with the assistance of international
organizations.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. (C) As described in reftel B, Ministry of Health actions,
such as its dismantling of the Venezuelan CODEX committee,
have resulted in the Venezuelan government's reduced ability
to participate effectively in international fora. Several
international organizations, such as the United Nations Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Inter-American
Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have been
working with Venezuelan authorities to reestablish
Venezuela's dormant CODEX committee. Jamie Flores of IICA
told the Agriculture Attache April 29 that although two
recent meetings with potential members failed to achieve
quorum, in the most recent meeting on April 24 the group
committed to reestablishing the CODEX committee.
3. (C) With the apparent support of the Vice Minister of
Health, the group discussed the possibility of reactivating
working groups on food, residues, pesticides and
contaminants. Food labeling was not on the agenda, but the
Vice Minister expressed an interest in the subject. Post has
worked behind the scenes with both FAO and IICA, as well as
former Venezuelan CODEX officials, to promote the development
of science-based standards and will continue in its efforts
over the coming months.
CAULFIELD
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/MTA JBOBO
USTR FOR MELISSA CLARKSON
HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
COMMERCE FOR 4332/MAC/WH/JLAO
TREASURY FOR RJARPE
NSC FOR RKING
SECSTATE PASS AGRICULTURE ELECTRONICALLY FOR PRISCILLA
JOSEPH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2019
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL ETRD EINV EAGR VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: NO RESPONSE ON CODEX FOOD LABELING
DEMARCHE
REF: A. SECSTATE 38413
B. 2008 CARACAS 968
Classified By: Economic Counselor Darnall Steuart for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Post delivered reftel A remarks to potential members
of Venezuela's currently defunct CODEX committee on April 23.
Although there has been no official response and none is
anticipated, Venezuelan participation in the May 2009 Calgary
meeting is unlikely. Several potential CODEX committee
members reported they were unaware of the meeting, but do
plan to attend an upcoming conference on food labeling in
China. There are indications that Venezuela may reestablish
its CODEX committee with the assistance of international
organizations.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. (C) As described in reftel B, Ministry of Health actions,
such as its dismantling of the Venezuelan CODEX committee,
have resulted in the Venezuelan government's reduced ability
to participate effectively in international fora. Several
international organizations, such as the United Nations Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Inter-American
Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have been
working with Venezuelan authorities to reestablish
Venezuela's dormant CODEX committee. Jamie Flores of IICA
told the Agriculture Attache April 29 that although two
recent meetings with potential members failed to achieve
quorum, in the most recent meeting on April 24 the group
committed to reestablishing the CODEX committee.
3. (C) With the apparent support of the Vice Minister of
Health, the group discussed the possibility of reactivating
working groups on food, residues, pesticides and
contaminants. Food labeling was not on the agenda, but the
Vice Minister expressed an interest in the subject. Post has
worked behind the scenes with both FAO and IICA, as well as
former Venezuelan CODEX officials, to promote the development
of science-based standards and will continue in its efforts
over the coming months.
CAULFIELD