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Viewing cable 06PARIS6159, COMMERCIAL GM DESTRUCTIONS CONDEMNED; FARMERS STAND THEIR

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06PARIS6159 2006-09-14 05:29 2011-08-24 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Paris
null
Lucia A Keegan  09/18/2006 10:20:46 AM  From  DB/Inbox:  Lucia A Keegan

Cable 
Text:                                                                      
                                                                           
      
UNCLAS        PARIS 06159

SIPDIS
cxparis:
    ACTION: AGR
    INFO:   UNESCO SCI POL ECNO DCM AMB ECON TRDO

DISSEMINATION: AGRX
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: AGR: EBERRY
DRAFTED: AGR: MCHENARD
CLEARED: ECON: JHENNESSEY-NILAND SCI:RDRY PAO: JB(INFO) POL:BT(INFO)

VZCZCFRI714
RR RUEHC RUEHRC RUCNMEM RUEHMRE RUEHSR RUEHGV
RHEHAAA
DE RUEHFR #6159 2570529
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140529Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1301
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
RUEHMRE/AMCONSUL MARSEILLE 1322
RUEHSR/AMCONSUL STRASBOURG 0179
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2486
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
UNCLAS PARIS 006159 
 
SIPDIS 
 
BRUSSELS PASS USEU FOR AGMINCOUNSELOR 
STATE FOR OES; EUR/ERA AND EB (SPIRNAK); 
STATE PASS USTR FOR MURPHY; 
USDA/OS/JOHANNS/TERPSTRA; 
USDA/FAS FOR OA/YOST/SIMMONS/JONES; 
ITP/SHEIKH/MACKE/TOM POMEROY/MIKE WOOLSEY/GREG YOUNG; BOB 
RIEMENSCHNEIDER 
FAA/SEBRANEK/DEVER; 
EU POSTS PASS TO AGRICULTURE AND ECON 
GENEVA FOR USTR, ALSO AGRICULTURE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR ETRD EU FR
SUBJECT: COMMERCIAL GM DESTRUCTIONS CONDEMNED; FARMERS STAND THEIR 
GROUND 
 
REF: Paris 5262 
 
1.  Summary:  In the past several months, anti-Genetically Modified 
Organisms (GMOs) groups have destroyed several commercial biotech 
corn plantings.  The latest incidents occurred on July 30 (see 
reftel), and September 2.  The French Ministry of Agriculture 
reacted strongly and quickly to condemn both.  France's largest 
farmers union and the French Corn Growers Organization also firmly 
reacted, organizing demonstrations in favor of the freedom to grow 
biotech crops. Despite the destructions, biotech corn production is 
on the rise.  End summary. 
 
1.  On September 2, anti-biotech activists destroyed another 
commercial field of biotech corn.  The French Minister of 
Agriculture quickly and vigorously condemned this action, as was the 
case after the first destruction.  He called these activities 
"irresponsible acts of vandalism" and emphasized that French farmers 
are the victims of these illegal actions. 
 
2.  For the first time, the largest farmers union in France(FNSEA) 
also reacted.  In a press communiqu, FNSEA said that the activists 
"have no union, political, or scientific legitimacy and terrorize 
farmers."  FNSEA called on the GOF to take steps to prevent future 
illegal activities against biotech corn plantings. 
 
3.  As the most actively pro-biotech stakeholder, the French Corn 
Growers Association (AGPM) has been the most vocal in its protests, 
announcing that a demonstration will be held in late September at 
its headquarters in southwestern France against GM field 
destructions and in favor of modern agriculture based on 
biotechnology.  AGPM has organized other demonstrations of farmers 
in favor of the right to grow biotech corn. In its communiqus, AGPM 
has stated corn growers affected by the destructions were 
"economically and personally prejudiced." 
 
4.  Comment: Tension on the issue of biotech cultivation is 
building, with the looming 2007 elections (for seats in the French 
Chambers of Agriculture, at the Parliament and for the President). 
While the biotech bill lingers in the French Parliament, some French 
farmers are ever more determined to continue their cultivation of 
biotech products, destructions notwithstanding.  Total 2006 biotech 
corn acreage is estimated at 4,000 to 5,000 ha, as compared to 500 
ha in 2005. While there are some positive developments, the French 
authorities could be more aggressive.  The Embassy will continue to 
raise our concern that biotech crops be protected.  End comment. 
 
 
Stapleton