DEMARCHE REQUEST: MAFF STORAGE OF IMPORTED RICE

UNCLAS STATE 019794 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD PREL JA SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: MAFF STORAGE OF IMPORTED RICE LEADS TO MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 3. ¶2. (U) BACKGROUND: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) publicly released findings of its December 2008 and January 2009 inspection of imported rice that is kept in long-term government storage. The inspections resulted in the discovery of a mold-like substance on rice imported from the United States, Thailand, and Vietnam; this information was subsequently released to the public by MAFF. The release of this information is self-serving in that it strengthens the unfounded perception that imported rice is inferior to domestic rice and potentially unsafe. In addition, MAFF failed to note that the mold-like substance most likely developed while the rice was in government storage for a minimum of six months up to three years. Moreover, MAFF continues to hold imported rice to a higher inspection standard than domestic rice. ¶3. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Embassy Tokyo is requested to deliver a formal demarche to relevant MAFF officials emphasizing the following points: -- Express strong disappointment regarding the public release of information related to the MAFF inspection of imported rice in December 2008 and January 2009. The lack of context in the public information released by MAFF reinforces unfounded perception that U.S. rice is inferior to domestic rice. Our understanding is that the analysis of the mold-like substance is not complete; consequently, Japan has not presented any conclusive scientific evidence of a food safety risk nor demonstrated that the problems were caused by anything other than excessive storage in poor conditions. -- Urge equal treatment of domestic and imported rice. Imported rice is held to a much higher inspection standard than domestic rice. Additionally, the long-term storage necessitated by the lack of full access to the Japanese consumer market for imported rice is the cause for the degradation of the rice. It was only after the rice was stored by MAFF for a period of time ranging from six months to three years that the imported rice developed the mold-like substance; similar degradation would likely occur to domestic rice stored in the same way for an extended period of time. This development calls into question the food safety standards of MAFF rice storage facilities and MAFF policies that require the long-term storage of imported rice. -- Request information regarding the storage conditions for the U.S. rice that is being detained due to the discovery of the mold-like substance. Information requested should include logs recording temperature, humidity, warehouse locations, length of time in storage, and other important environmental conditions. -- Request that MAFF ensure full context is provided in public releases of information -- especially in the case when there are potentially adverse effects. Request that MAFF work with the media to ensure accurate reporting of information provided by MAFF. ¶4. (U) Please slug responses to Eric Holloway and Barbara Chattin, USTR and to Chuck Bertsch, Debbie Seidband, Amy Burdett, and Mariano Beillard, USDA/FAS. CLINTON