UZBEKISTAN: PORK IMPORT BAN CONTINUES

UNCLAS TASHKENT 000963 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN AND EEB/ESC AMEMBASSY ANKARA FOR AG COUNSELOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD UZ SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: PORK IMPORT BAN CONTINUES REF: STATE 44254 TASHKENT 723 ¶1. (U) We delivered Ref A points to the MFA on May ¶7. These were received without comment (Ref B), but on June 3 we received diplomatic note No. 20/16277 from the MFA confirming that a ban on pork imports is still in effect. An unofficial translation follows below. BEGIN TRANSLATION The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Tashkent and has the honor to provide the following information in reply to the Embassys diplomatic note N 723/09 of May 13, 2009: According to the information of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, until the situation with H1N1flu virus infecting humans is improved, the temporary ban on importing non-heat treated pork and pork products (heat treatment temperature not less 80 C, and treatment time not less 30 minutes) has been put in force. The import ban applies to the following U.S. states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, California and Kansas. This ban applies to products shipped after April 21, 2009. The abovementioned safety measures will expand or will be canceled depending on epidemiological situation. The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration. END TRANSLATION NORLAND