INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Bayu Meeting, H1n1, Halal and Tifa

Published: Fri 16 Oct 2009 09:40 AM
VZCZCXYZ0012
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHJA #1744 2890940
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 160940Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3603
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3091
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 5419
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 3671
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0013
RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 3344
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 7996
UNCLAS JAKARTA 001744
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS AND EB/IFD/OMA
TOKYO FOR AG MIN COUNS WIGGIN
MANILA FOR AG COUNS PURDY
USDA/FAS/OA MICHENER, BREWER
USDA/FAS/OCRA HALE, HIGGISTON, RADLER
USDA/FAS/OGA HOUSE, DWYER, ROCKE
USDA/FAS/OSTA BLUM, MACKE, BERMAN, WETZEL
USTR WEISEL, EHLERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAGR ETRD ID
SUBJECT: Bayu Meeting, H1N1, Halal and TIFA
On October 2, 2009 Post met with Dr. Bayu Krisnamurthi, Deputy
Minister for Agriculture and Marine, Indonesian Coordinating
Ministry for Economic Affairs (CMEA). U.S. representatives raised
several agricultural trade issues with Dr. Krisnamurthi, including
the Government of Indonesia's (GOI) ban on U.S. fresh and frozen
pork and pork products, halal certification, and the Ministry of
Agriculture's involvement in the United States - Indonesia Trade and
Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).
U.S. Fresh and Frozen Pork and Pork Products Ban
1. (SBU) Indonesia banned U.S. fresh and frozen pork and pork
products, effective April 27, 2009 following the detection of H1N1
in the United States. According to Dr. Krisnamurthi, it is unlikely
the pork ban will be repealed by the current Indonesian Minister of
Agriculture. Post expects a new Minister of Agriculture to be
named after the Indonesian Presidential Inauguration on October 20,
2009. Dr. Krisnamurthi also asked for a progressive list of the
countries that have lifted the ban in recent months.
HALAL
2. (SBU) Recently the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) prepared to
publish a final list of U.S. Islamic organizations recognized as
eligible to provide halal certification for animal and products
derived from animals for export to Indonesia. This halal certifier
eligibility list was due to be published and subsequently
implemented on October 1, 2009. According to Dr. Krisnamurthi, a
decision was made within the GOI to delay implementing the October 1
halal certifier eligibility list for 3 months. Post officials asked
if there was any written or formal announcement declaring the delay
of implementation. Dr. Krisnamurthi recommended that U.S. Embassy
officials contact the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) for official
information on slaughter animals and the National Agency for Drug
and Food Control for official information on processed foods and
flavorings.
NOTE: On October 7, Post received draft copy of an Indonesian
Council of Ulama (MUI) circular that stated that the new halal
certifier eligibility list will be published and subsequently
implemented on October 15, 2009, contradicting Dr. Krisnamurthi's
information.
TIFA
3. (SBU) Post representatives expressed their concern that the MoA
has been noticeably absent from recent United States - Indonesia
TIFA discussions. Dr. Krisnamurthi asked for a list of the
agriculture related issues to be discussed during the next TIFA and
implied that an internal GOI discussion will take place regarding
MoA's attendance at the next round of TIFA talks.
As the Deputy Minister for CMEA, Dr. Krisnamurthi has influence over
the Ministries of Trade and Agriculture. By addressing these issues
with Dr. Krisnamurthi, Post expects he will bring greater attention
to U.S. concerns within the GOI. Prioritizing these issues would
demonstrate commitment to advancing our bilateral economic and trade
agenda. This meeting also reflects Post's desire to for broader
outreach and interest in cultivating relationships with key policy
makers, particularly in advance of the new Yudhoyono Administration.
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