Cablegate: Discussions On Peruvian Beef Restrictions

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INFO RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY 1544
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASH DC PRIORITY
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UNCLAS LIMA 003883

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

USTR FOR B HARMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EAGR USTR PE
SUBJECT: DISCUSSIONS ON PERUVIAN BEEF RESTRICTIONS

1. On September 27, AgCounselor met with Dr. Jose Espinoza,
Director of Peru's National Animal and Plant Health Service
(SENASA) to discuss the latest developments related to
lifting all restrictions on exports of U.S. beef. Dr.
Espinoza confirmed that he had just forwarded to USTR the
report referred to in the draft letter from the Ministry of
Foreign Trade and Tourism and that had been requested by
USTR. The letter is part of the discussions related to
provisions in the U.S. Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA).

2. As the pending action by the GOP involves a Supreme
Decree, preparation of the report involved both animal and
public health authorities. Therefore, the report was
prepared by an inter-agency commission and concluded that the
United States is a controlled risk country for BSE.

3. Dr. Espinoza stated that the animal and human health
officials involved in preparing the report were satisfied
with the conclusion and supported actions taken to open the
Peruvian market to all U.S. beef. He attributed any delay in
forwarding the report to their efforts of trying to bring
Andean Community partners Bolivia and Ecuador around to the
Colombian and Peruvian position.
STRUBLE

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