VZCZCXRO6383
RR RUEHDE
DE RUEHMS #0217 0650606
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 060606Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7891
RUEHRC/DEPT F AGRICULTURE WASHDC
INFO RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 328

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000217 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATEFOR NEA/ARP, EEB/TPP/ATT/ATP 
DUBAI FOR ATO DWILLAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV TBIO PREL EAR MU
 
SUBJECT: TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT? 
 
 
¶1. On Mach 3, Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali al-Qatabi, President 
of the Majlis al-Shura, opened the National Sympsium on Food 
Safety in Muscat, sponsored by the inistry of Regional 
Municipalities, Environment ad Water Resources in 
association with the Ministy of Health and the Ministry of 
Agriculture and isheries.  Abdullah bin Salim al-Rawas, 
Ministerof Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water 
Resources gave a presentation highlighting the imprtance of 
raising societal awareness regarding food safety precautions 
in response to economic and cultural changes resulting from 
the commercial liberalization of food ite exports.  He also 
addressed the issue of food mnagement in Oman, as well as 
the latest regionaldevelopments in the food safety field. 
 
¶2. Repreentatives from the U.S., Italy, Ireland, Jordan, an 
Saudi Arabia offered additional presentations. Mostafa 
Eldakdoky from the U.S. Department of Agiculture led two 
sessions on food safety adminisration and the U.S.-Oman Free 
Trade Agreement's rojected impact on the agricultural and 
consumer ndustry.  Furthermore, fourteen working papers wer 
presented at the symposium focusing on the development of 
human and technical capabilities (e.g. training food industry 
employees with new technologies), educating the Omani 
consumer on food safety, and the development of national food 
safety awareness campaigns. 
GRAPPO