VZCZCXRO3425
RR RUEHRG
DE RUEHBR #0768 1581756
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061756Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1817
INFO RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 2160
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 6223
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 8102
UNCLAS BRASILIA 000768
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
PASS TO: STATE FOR EEB/TPP/ABT AWINTON
STATE FOR EEB/TPP MLURIE
STATE FOR EEB/IFD/ODF MSIEMER
STATE FOR EEB/TPP/MTA CVOLTMER
STATE FOR EEB/TPP/ABT GCLEMENTS
STATE FOR EEB/TPP/ABT JBOBO
STATE FOR USAID
USDA FAS/OA FOR CJACKSON
USDA FAS/OA FOR MHOUSE
USDA FAS/OGA FOR ACHAUDRY
USDA FAS/OFSO FOR AREA DIRECTOR JBAILEY
USDA FAS/OCRA FOR BZANIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR BR
SUBJECT: DELIVERY OF DEMARCHES ON FOOD SECURITY TO BRAZILIAN
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
REF: A) STATE 53353, B) STATE 52628, C) STATE 53346
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
1. SUMMARY: Post delivered the messages indicated in reftels to the
Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA). MAPA agrees with many of
the arguments stated and shares many common positions with the U.S.
government. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) USDA Under Secretary Mark Keenum and FAS Administrator
Michael Yost both utilized the Third Meeting of the USA-Brazil
Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA), on May 20, 2008 in
Brasilia to convey to MAPA the demarche message regarding the
benefits of biotechnology, as well as the harm caused by food export
restrictions.
3. (SBU) Celio Porto, Under Secretary for International Relations,
both in the CCA and in the joint press conference with Under
Secretary Keenum, expressed frustration with the export restrictions
put in place by Argentina. MAPA also expressed support for the
position regarding biotechnology, but noted that, although Brazil
has a modern legal framework in place to regulate biotechnology, the
GOB still faces opposition from some anti-biotech groups in Brazil.
4. (SBU) Following the CCA, FAS Brasilia delivered three demarches
(reftels) to Mr. Celio Porto. These demarches were "Request to End
Food Staple Export Restrictions", "The President's Global Food
Security Initiative and Trade" and "Biotechnology and Food
Security". He acknowledged receipt of these messages and commented
that Brazil and the United States have similar positions in these
areas and are key players in the world to resolve food shortages.
Post will follow up as further information becomes available.
SOBEL