Cablegate: Bse Notification to Turkish Government

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

UNCLAS ANKARA 000002

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SE, EB/EPD, AND EB/TPP/ABT
DEPT PLEASE PASS USTR FOR NOVELLI, DBIRDSEY, JHOFEMEISTER
USDA FOR FAS FOR ITP/MACKE, MEYER, HANSEN, DLP FOR WETZEL
AND WAINIO
USDOC FOR DEFALCO
VIENNA FOR APHIS/SLITER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EAGR KPAO TU
SUBJECT: BSE Notification to Turkish Government

Ref: State 348293

1. ON DECEMBER 30, AGCOUNSELOR DELIVERED TALKING
POINTS FROM REFTEL CONCERNING BSE TO THE TURKISH DEPUTY
UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE DIRECTOR OF
PROTECTION AND CONTROL, TURKEY'S VETERINARY AND
QUARANTINE SERVICE. ON DECEMBER 24TH, THE GOVERNMENT
OF TURKEY ISSUE A REGULATION BANNING IMPORTS OF
LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS FROM THE UNITED
STATES.

2. Both the Deputy Under Secretary and the Director of
Protection and Control expressed their sympathy for the
situation in the United States noting that farmers in every
country have difficult lives anyway without these types of
problems. They also remarked that, despite the U.S.
financial and scientific resources that most other countries
do not possess, such an incident still occurred. The
Turkish officials also expressed appreciation the
information we provided in the cable and the fact that we
had initiated the meeting. We promised to keep them updated
on the situation.

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CONFIRMATION: MOST OTHER PRODUCTS WILL BE PERMITTED
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3. Turkish officials confirmed imports of semen, embryos,
hides and skins as well as tallow (for soap) will not be
banned by Turkey. For embryos, the Turks are currently re-
writing regulations which we will forward to Washington as
soon as they are completed. However, imports of live cattle
and pet food are currently banned. Turkey does not permit
any imports of red meat or poultry.

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Impact on Breeding Livestock and Pet Food Shippers
--------------------------------------------- -----

4. The banning of breeding cattle will put an end to a
promising export market. Over 1500 head of high dairy and
beef breeding stock had been imported by several companies
and additional orders were planned. U.S. Pet food exports
to Turkey are approximately US 5 million a year.

5. One pet food importer who had shipped 4 containers of
product prior to December 24 had contacted our office
concerned that the shipment would not be permitted into
Turkey. Initially, we had been informed by a contact at
Protection and Control that no shipments arriving after
December 23 would be allowed entry into the country.
During our meetings we raised the issue noting that Russia
and Egypt were allowing shipments sent prior to the
announcement. On December 31, the importer was informed
that the shipments would be permitted.

6. Turkish officials reported that they are checking cattle
received from the U.S. in 2001 and 2003, but do not expect
any problems.

EDELMAN

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