Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KUALALUMPUR347
2009-05-11 03:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
PORK SAFETY CONCERNS
VZCZCXRO0728 RR RUEHAST RUEHCHI RUEHDH RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHNH RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHTM RUEHTRO DE RUEHKL #0347 1310324 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 110324Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2689 INFO RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1712 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000347
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP
STATE FOR M/PRI FOR RMORRITZ
STATE FOR S/ES-O/CMS FOR EPARRA
STATE FOR EAP/MTS FOR DBISCHOF
STATE FOR OES/AIAG FOR AMBASSSADOR LOFTIS, DWINN AND
CPATTERSON
STATE FOR REO/BKK FOR HHOWARD
STATE FOR OES/IHB, AAIT, MED
HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY
CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH
USDA FOR APHIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL
PINR, AMGT, TF
SUBJECT: PORK SAFETY CONCERNS
REF: A. 2009 State 44254
B. 2009 Kuala Lumpur 336
UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000347
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP
STATE FOR M/PRI FOR RMORRITZ
STATE FOR S/ES-O/CMS FOR EPARRA
STATE FOR EAP/MTS FOR DBISCHOF
STATE FOR OES/AIAG FOR AMBASSSADOR LOFTIS, DWINN AND
CPATTERSON
STATE FOR REO/BKK FOR HHOWARD
STATE FOR OES/IHB, AAIT, MED
HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY
CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH
USDA FOR APHIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL
PINR, AMGT, TF
SUBJECT: PORK SAFETY CONCERNS
REF: A. 2009 State 44254
B. 2009 Kuala Lumpur 336
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Malaysia issued a "freeze" on pork imports on
April 29 under the auspices of preventing the spread of H1N1. Post
officially protested this action on multiple occasions arguing that
WHO, FAO, and OIE have all stated that, "Pork and pork products,
handled in accordance with good hygienic practices... will not be a
source of infection." However, recent statements made by WHO staff
have raised questions about pork safety issues in the context of
H1N1. Post seeks additional clarification from Washington and
requests approved language to be used in communicating with the
Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant Malaysian contacts. END
SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) FAS Attache and Econcouns delivered a demarche on
instruction from Washington (reftel A.) to the Department of
Veterinary Services, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based
Industries, and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry on
May 5 requesting a reconsideration of the current Malaysian "freeze"
on pork imports from the U.S. Basis for post's demarche was
information from the WHO, FAO, and OIE, which stated on April 30
that, "Pork and pork products, handled in accordance with good
hygienic practices... will not be a source of infection."
3. (U) However, a Reuters article on May 6 quoted a WHO official
saying that it was possible for flu viruses to survive the freezing
process and be present in thawed meat, as well as in blood, and that
"meat from pigs infected with the new H1N1 virus shouldn't be used
for human consumption." In the same article, Alex Thiermann, senior
adviser to the OIE's director-general claimed there was no
difference between raw and cooked meat in terms of H1N1 transmission
risks. He said, "The OIE is very concerned that differences are
being made between cooked and not cooked meat. All pork products are
safe for consumption." In response to the May 6 Reuters article,
WHO, FAO, and OIE issued a joint statement on May 7 reconfirming
their earlier position on pork and H1N1.
4. (SBU) Post will continue its efforts to remove unnecessary
barriers to trade on pork. We are scheduled for further discussions
on this subject with the Ministry of Agriculture this week.
However, given the mixed messages regarding pork safety and the H1N1
virus this past week, which have caused some confusion locally, post
requests updated guidance from Washington clarifying this issue and
which will be responsive to the questions we anticipate from the
Malaysian side. These likely questions include:
Are there any infected swine herds in the United States? What is
being done to inspect herds and what would the United States do if
it found an infected herd? Would pork exports be halted under that
scenario? Is the United States allowing imports of swine from
Canada and Mexico?
Is it safe to eat meat from H1N1 infected pigs if the meat is
properly cooked?
Is it possible to get H1N1 from eating pork or pork products that
are not properly cooked? If not, why?
Is it possible to get H1N1 from handling pork or pork products that
are raw or chilled and uncooked?
Does a ban on US pork exports violate the WTO and in what way?
5. (U) Post appreciates Washington's assistance with this request.
KEITH
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP
STATE FOR M/PRI FOR RMORRITZ
STATE FOR S/ES-O/CMS FOR EPARRA
STATE FOR EAP/MTS FOR DBISCHOF
STATE FOR OES/AIAG FOR AMBASSSADOR LOFTIS, DWINN AND
CPATTERSON
STATE FOR REO/BKK FOR HHOWARD
STATE FOR OES/IHB, AAIT, MED
HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY
CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH
USDA FOR APHIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL
PINR, AMGT, TF
SUBJECT: PORK SAFETY CONCERNS
REF: A. 2009 State 44254
B. 2009 Kuala Lumpur 336
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Malaysia issued a "freeze" on pork imports on
April 29 under the auspices of preventing the spread of H1N1. Post
officially protested this action on multiple occasions arguing that
WHO, FAO, and OIE have all stated that, "Pork and pork products,
handled in accordance with good hygienic practices... will not be a
source of infection." However, recent statements made by WHO staff
have raised questions about pork safety issues in the context of
H1N1. Post seeks additional clarification from Washington and
requests approved language to be used in communicating with the
Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant Malaysian contacts. END
SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) FAS Attache and Econcouns delivered a demarche on
instruction from Washington (reftel A.) to the Department of
Veterinary Services, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based
Industries, and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry on
May 5 requesting a reconsideration of the current Malaysian "freeze"
on pork imports from the U.S. Basis for post's demarche was
information from the WHO, FAO, and OIE, which stated on April 30
that, "Pork and pork products, handled in accordance with good
hygienic practices... will not be a source of infection."
3. (U) However, a Reuters article on May 6 quoted a WHO official
saying that it was possible for flu viruses to survive the freezing
process and be present in thawed meat, as well as in blood, and that
"meat from pigs infected with the new H1N1 virus shouldn't be used
for human consumption." In the same article, Alex Thiermann, senior
adviser to the OIE's director-general claimed there was no
difference between raw and cooked meat in terms of H1N1 transmission
risks. He said, "The OIE is very concerned that differences are
being made between cooked and not cooked meat. All pork products are
safe for consumption." In response to the May 6 Reuters article,
WHO, FAO, and OIE issued a joint statement on May 7 reconfirming
their earlier position on pork and H1N1.
4. (SBU) Post will continue its efforts to remove unnecessary
barriers to trade on pork. We are scheduled for further discussions
on this subject with the Ministry of Agriculture this week.
However, given the mixed messages regarding pork safety and the H1N1
virus this past week, which have caused some confusion locally, post
requests updated guidance from Washington clarifying this issue and
which will be responsive to the questions we anticipate from the
Malaysian side. These likely questions include:
Are there any infected swine herds in the United States? What is
being done to inspect herds and what would the United States do if
it found an infected herd? Would pork exports be halted under that
scenario? Is the United States allowing imports of swine from
Canada and Mexico?
Is it safe to eat meat from H1N1 infected pigs if the meat is
properly cooked?
Is it possible to get H1N1 from eating pork or pork products that
are not properly cooked? If not, why?
Is it possible to get H1N1 from handling pork or pork products that
are raw or chilled and uncooked?
Does a ban on US pork exports violate the WTO and in what way?
5. (U) Post appreciates Washington's assistance with this request.
KEITH