US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK5882

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005882 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EB/JACK BOBO 
USDA FOR FAS/BIG/DAWN WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958:NA 
TAGS: EAGR, ETRD, TBIO, TH 
SUBJECT: THAILAND'S RESPONSE REGARDING CODEX AD HOC 
INTERGOVERNMENTAL TASK FORCE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY 
 
REF:  STATE 147159 
      STATE 165836 
 
1. Post contacted Thai lead of delegation, Ms. Orathai 
Silapanapaporn, Assistant Director, Office of Commodity 
and System Standards, National Bureau of Agricultural 
Commodity and Food Standards regarding ref tel action 
request. 
 
2.  Thai position on questions posed in reftel is as 
follows: 
 
The responses below from the Thai Delegation who will 
attend the Task Force meeting in Japan should be only 
considered as tentative positions of Thailand at the 
moment.  The MOAC's Permanent Secretary must approve 
the final positions within this week. 
 
- The United States is extremely interested in the Task 
Force developing guidance for the food safety 
assessment of low levels of material from transgenic 
plants in the food supply.  Will your country support 
the U.S. position in the Task Force? 
 
Yes, we will. 
 
- Are you planning to send a delegation to the Task 
Force meeting?  If so, who will be the Head of your 
Delegation? 
 
Yes, we are.  The Head of Delegation is Ms. Orathai 
Silapanapaporn, Assistant Director, Office of Commodity 
and System Standards, National Bureau of Agricultural 
Commodity and Food Standards. 
 
- If a project on low level presence is undertaken by 
the Task Force, issues may arise such as the 
consideration of establishing thresholds.  What are 
your views on this issue? (if supportive of thresholds: 
Could thresholds discussion on what science-based 
factors could be considered on a case-by-case basis 
take place at a subsequent reconvening of the Task 
Force?) 
 
Thailand agrees to consider establishing thresholds on 
science-based evidence.  Thailand would like to see the 
outcome of this meeting of the Task Force before 
determining whether further thresholds discussion on 
what science-based factors could be considered on a 
case-by-case basis take place at a subsequent 
reconvening of the Task Force. 
 
- Based on the information we have obtained to date, 
many countries have chosen a project on transgenic 
animals as a priority within the Task Force.  Is your 
country supportive of the Task Force undertaking work 
in this area? 
 
Thailand takes a project on transgenic animals as a low 
priority, but we have no objection to the Task Force in 
undertaking work in this area. 
 
- (If supportive of work on transgenic animals) If the 
Task Force undertakes a project on transgenic animals, 
what are your expectations? 
 
No comment. 
 
- If a project on transgenic animals is undertaken 
within the Task Force, issues such as ethical and 
animal welfare issues may arise.  How do you believe 
these issues should be addressed within this project? 
Should another international organization such as OIE 
address these issues? 
 
Thailand would like to reserve our position on these 
issues. 
 
- Is your delegation interested in meeting with the 
U.S. delegation in Chiba?  If so, please let us know 
your contact person at the Task Force meeting in Chiba. 
 
We don't mind if the U.S. Delegation would request a 
meeting with us.  The contact person from Thailand is 
the Head of Thai Delegation (Ms. Oratai 
Silapanapaporn). 
 
3. In summary, Post ascertained that the Thais will 
participate, will support the U.S. position on the task 
force, would enjoy meeting the U.S. delegation, but 
reserves their position on transgenic animals for the 
moment. 
 
Arvizu