Cablegate: Portugal On Oct 19 Eu Agric Council Biotech Votes

VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLI #0541 2881305
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151305Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7920
INFO RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC

UNCLAS LISBON 000541

SIPDIS

COMMERCE DEPARTMENT FOR USTR
AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT FOR FAS
STATE DEPARTMENT FOR EEB/TPP/ABT, EUR/ERA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EUN TBIO PGOV PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL ON OCT 19 EU AGRIC COUNCIL BIOTECH VOTES

REF: A. STATE 106819
B. LISBON 480

Post delivered ref A points on October 15 to Rui Noronha and
Antonio Cerca Miguel of the Portuguese Ministry of
Agriculture's Office of European Issues and International
Relations. Cerca Miguel replied that Portugal is in favor of
biotech approvals consistent with EFSA findings and will vote
to approve import of the three biotech maize varieties.
(Note: Cerca Miguel's reply was markedly stronger than in our
September conversation reported ref B. End note.)

For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal,
please see our Intelink site:

http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal
BALLARD

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