Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARIS69
2009-01-16 17:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
ROQUEFORT REACTS TO US BEEF HORMONE SANCTION
how-toVZCZCXRO9256 PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHFR #0069/01 0161749 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 161749Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5265 INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2987 RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000069
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FROM APP TOULOUSE
STATE PASS USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAGR ETRD FR
SUBJECT: ROQUEFORT REACTS TO US BEEF HORMONE SANCTION
REF: Paris 62
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000069
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FROM APP TOULOUSE
STATE PASS USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAGR ETRD FR
SUBJECT: ROQUEFORT REACTS TO US BEEF HORMONE SANCTION
REF: Paris 62
1. Reftel reports on Agriculture Minister Barnier's statement
attacking revised USG sanctions in beef hormone case. In a more
constructive response, the president of the Roquefort
cheese-producing Midi-Pyrenees region is sending President-elect
Obama a gift of the blue delicacy to commemorate his inauguration.
Martin Malvy released a statement January 16 in which he decried a
decision that "makes no sense" and asks the new administration to
re-examine the decision "with greater care." In a letter attached
to the statement, Malvy also highlights his belief that negotiations
with the EU on the issue remain possible.
2. Following is an unofficial translation of the statement and
letter:
Martin Malvy sends a carton of Roquefort cheese to Barack Obama
Martin Malvy, President of the Midi-Pyrenees Region, announced
Friday January 16 that he has sent a carton of Roquefort cheese to
the American President-elect Barack Obama as an inauguration gift.
"The inauguration of Barack Obama brings great hopes," said Martin
Malvy, "particularly for better relations between the United States
and Europe. In that context, the measure taken to triple customs
duties on Roquefort cheese makes no sense. I have therefore sent
this prestigious product of Midi-Pyrenees agriculture to President
Barack Obama requesting that, beginning Tuesday, the new American
administration reexamine the case with greater care."
End text of statement.
3. Begin text of letter:
Monsieur Barack Obama
President
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, DC 20520
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Mr. President,
Several weeks ago I took the opportunity to send you my
congratulations, noting how pleased we were with your election as
President of the United States.
I am writing you today to ask your kind assistance to the economy of
the Region for which I speak.
Your predecessor and his administration have just taken the decision
to increase by 300% the import duties on Roquefort cheese in
response to measures taken by the European Union to bar entry into
Europe of meat from cattle raised with hormones.
Roquefort is a cheese produced in France, more precisely in Aveyron,
in the Midi-Pyrenees Region which I head.
It is a product that can be made in no other part of the world, as
it must be manufactured to strict, specific, natural and very local
standards. With the time and effort devoted by people whose
livelihoods depend on it, it has become indispensible to the economy
of this very rural part of France.
The Midi-Pyrenees Region is a pioneer in this sector and has worked
for many years to ensure quality in the production of its
agricultural products.
In addition, I consider that the decision taken by the United States
is not fair. Roquefort cheese has become the unwilling hostage of
international agreements on the import and export of agricultural
products.
Mr. President, I wish to present you a Roquefort cheese on the
occasion of your inauguration so that you might be able to
appreciate it in all its quality, but above all to kindly request
you to review that decision, and in the hope of being able to
welcome you to our region during one of your visits to France and
present you in detail the agro-food sector, of which Roquefort has
been for generations one of the most emblematic products.
I remain confident that a discussion with Europe on the subject of
your exportation is possible.
Please be assured, Mr. President, of my best wishes for you.
PARIS 00000069 002 OF 002
Martin Malvy
End text.
STAPLETON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FROM APP TOULOUSE
STATE PASS USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAGR ETRD FR
SUBJECT: ROQUEFORT REACTS TO US BEEF HORMONE SANCTION
REF: Paris 62
1. Reftel reports on Agriculture Minister Barnier's statement
attacking revised USG sanctions in beef hormone case. In a more
constructive response, the president of the Roquefort
cheese-producing Midi-Pyrenees region is sending President-elect
Obama a gift of the blue delicacy to commemorate his inauguration.
Martin Malvy released a statement January 16 in which he decried a
decision that "makes no sense" and asks the new administration to
re-examine the decision "with greater care." In a letter attached
to the statement, Malvy also highlights his belief that negotiations
with the EU on the issue remain possible.
2. Following is an unofficial translation of the statement and
letter:
Martin Malvy sends a carton of Roquefort cheese to Barack Obama
Martin Malvy, President of the Midi-Pyrenees Region, announced
Friday January 16 that he has sent a carton of Roquefort cheese to
the American President-elect Barack Obama as an inauguration gift.
"The inauguration of Barack Obama brings great hopes," said Martin
Malvy, "particularly for better relations between the United States
and Europe. In that context, the measure taken to triple customs
duties on Roquefort cheese makes no sense. I have therefore sent
this prestigious product of Midi-Pyrenees agriculture to President
Barack Obama requesting that, beginning Tuesday, the new American
administration reexamine the case with greater care."
End text of statement.
3. Begin text of letter:
Monsieur Barack Obama
President
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, DC 20520
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Mr. President,
Several weeks ago I took the opportunity to send you my
congratulations, noting how pleased we were with your election as
President of the United States.
I am writing you today to ask your kind assistance to the economy of
the Region for which I speak.
Your predecessor and his administration have just taken the decision
to increase by 300% the import duties on Roquefort cheese in
response to measures taken by the European Union to bar entry into
Europe of meat from cattle raised with hormones.
Roquefort is a cheese produced in France, more precisely in Aveyron,
in the Midi-Pyrenees Region which I head.
It is a product that can be made in no other part of the world, as
it must be manufactured to strict, specific, natural and very local
standards. With the time and effort devoted by people whose
livelihoods depend on it, it has become indispensible to the economy
of this very rural part of France.
The Midi-Pyrenees Region is a pioneer in this sector and has worked
for many years to ensure quality in the production of its
agricultural products.
In addition, I consider that the decision taken by the United States
is not fair. Roquefort cheese has become the unwilling hostage of
international agreements on the import and export of agricultural
products.
Mr. President, I wish to present you a Roquefort cheese on the
occasion of your inauguration so that you might be able to
appreciate it in all its quality, but above all to kindly request
you to review that decision, and in the hope of being able to
welcome you to our region during one of your visits to France and
present you in detail the agro-food sector, of which Roquefort has
been for generations one of the most emblematic products.
I remain confident that a discussion with Europe on the subject of
your exportation is possible.
Please be assured, Mr. President, of my best wishes for you.
PARIS 00000069 002 OF 002
Martin Malvy
End text.
STAPLETON