Cablegate: No Biotech Regulations in Burma

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS RANGOON 000214

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, EB/TPP, OES/ETC
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/OA - BSIMMONS, USDA/APHIS/BRS -
JTURNER, USAID - JLEWIS, FDA - RLAKE, EPA - JANDERSEN
BANGKOK FOR FAS AND USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD SENV TBIO TSPL BM
SUBJECT: NO BIOTECH REGULATIONS IN BURMA

REF: STATE 16321

1. The Burmese government currently has no laws or
regulations on the books regarding the import of
biotechnology-derived food products. The Ministries of
Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock and Fisheries, and the
Customs Department are now forming a working committee to
draw up a framework to address this issue and expect results
within 18 months.

2. We note that while it remains legal to export agricultural
and other products to Burma, current U.S. policy prohibits
U.S. government officials from encouraging or discouraging
these exports. U.S. law bans assistance to the government of
Burma, all new U.S. investment in Burma, and all imports of
Burmese products into the United States.
Martinez

© Scoop Media