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OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHFR #4368/01 3020736
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O 290736Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0946
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 004368 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS TO USTR 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2027 
TAGS: ECON ETRD EAG PREL SENV FR
SUBJECT: AG BIOTECH FREEZE IN FRANCE: NEXT STEPS FOR U.S. 
 
REF: A/ PARIS 4170 B/ PARIS 4139 C/ PARIS 3967 
 
PARIS 00004368  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified by Econ M/C Seth Winnick; reasons 1.4 (b), (d) and 
(e). 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary: President Sarkozy announced October 25 a 
number of significant steps on the environment following 
the conclusion of the "Grenelle" consultative process 
(Septel).  Environment is a key focal point for his 
administration and, in contrast to key foreign policy 
issues, is an area in which Sarkozy differs sharply from 
the USG.   Agricultural biotech, long a contentious 
bilateral issue, will be "frozen" in France and a new "High 
Authority" will determine not only if such products are 
safe, but also whether such products are for "the greater 
good."  Our options are limited.  There is broad and deep 
public fear of GMOs in France.  While BT corn is growing in 
popularity with French farmers, public support by farm 
organizations has been both timid and late.  The president 
of the national farm association (FNSEA) publicly supported 
a moratorium, as long as a new biotech law is in place by 
next spring.  A strident public USG reaction would 
reinforce public support for the measure in France and in 
Europe.   We recommend a measured public posture and a 
blunter private one underlining our commitment to work with 
France but reminding France of it commitments under EU and 
WTO rules.  In the near term, the upcoming visits of 
Agriculture Minister Barnier November 1 and President 
Sarkozy November 6-7, provide an opportunity for us to 
reiterate our serious concerns.  End Summary. 
 
Sarkozy's Message on Ag Biotech 
------------------------------- 
¶2. (SBU) Following is an unofficial translation of Sarkozy's 
speech as delivered.  This should be taken literally and 
exactly as a statement of French policy.  Begin text: 
 
The precautionary principle is not a principle of inaction, 
but a principle of action and expertise to reduce 
uncertainty.  It is not a principle of prohibition, but a 
principle of vigilance and transparency. It must therefore 
be interpreted as a principle of responsibility. 
 
The truth is we have doubts about the current interest of 
pesticide-GMOs, the truth is we have doubts on the control 
of GMO dissemination, the truth is we have doubts about the 
health and environmental benefits of GMOs. 
 
I don't want to put myself in contradiction with the 
European Union, but I need to make choices. 
 
Under the precautionary principle, I want commercial 
planting of pesticide-GMOs to be suspended, awaiting the 
conclusions of an expert evaluation to be conducted by a 
new authority that will be created before the end of the 
year, in consultation with the Grenelle of the Environment 
and the EU Commission. 
 
I accept my responsibilities, respecting my commitments. 
France is committed to transpose the EU Directive by spring 
¶2008. I don't want to be caught in the act of 
contradiction. I want a suspension because it is in the 
name of the precautionary principle. 
 
At the same time, France plays its role in Europe. France 
knows its obligations, and we will transpose the Directive 
and will discuss it together. 
 
The Grenelle establishes new principles regulating GMO 
cultivation and research.  I think of the principle of 
transparency, I think of the right to produce with or 
without GMOs, I think of the obligation to prove the 
environmental and health benefits of GMOs.  These 
principles, Jean-Louis Borloo will incorporate them into 
the transposition bill.  And then, there will be a rule, 
transparency, and everyone will accept their 
responsibilities. 
 
Suspending commercial production of pesticide-GMOs does not 
mean, and I want to be clear on this, that we must condemn 
all GMOs, and more specifically GMOs of the future.  We 
must accelerate research. I don't accept test plot 
destructions.  What we propose in reality is going back to 
democracy, debate, transparency, decision only for the 
general interest, and not only commercial interest, and 
responsibility. In return, everyone should go back to the 
rule of law, debate, but not abuse and violence.  No-one 
will make me accept that it is normal to violate private 
property. 
 
PARIS 00004368  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
End Text 
 
The Options 
----------- 
¶3. (C) Our options for responding to the French 
Announcement are limited.  We have lobbied the GOF 
extensively on this issue over a long period, and made our 
views on the freeze clear.  A strident USG public position 
would likely increase support for these measures in 
France.   Embassy recommends a measured approach in public 
and a stiffer one in private both stressing USG willingness 
to share scientific data, regulatory procedures and 
experience to date and reiterating the importance of respecting 
EU and WTO procedures. 
 
¶4.  (C) The upcoming visit of Agricultural Minister Barnier 
to Washington November 1 provides an immediate opportunity 
to deliver a measured but tough message. We understand 
Barnier hopes to use his visit in part to polish his 
international credentials as he reportedly hopes to move on 
from the Agriculture Ministry to foreign policy job, 
possibly in Brussels.  We should make sure he hears the 
same message in all his meetings in Washington; that any 
new non-scientific barriers to agricultural biotech are 
detrimental 
not only to the bi-lateral relationship but will likely 
result in EU and WTO action against France.  President 
Sarkozy's visit November 6-7 also provides an opportunity 
for us to signal our concerns at the highest level. 
 
Recommendation 
-------------- 
¶5.  (C) A measured public, but firm private, response is 
recommended.   While USG efforts thus far have not had 
great success, the GOF approach could have wider 
repercussions in Europe and further afield for the 
commercialization of agriculture biotechnology.  Post 
stands ready to work with the new High Authority to 
encourage it to meet with USDA, FDA, EPA, and also the U.S 
farming sector and industry to learn how we manage 
agricultural and environmental issues.  Post also believes 
it would be useful, in conjunction with USEU, to urge the 
European Commission to intervene in a meaningful way with 
France. 
 
STAPLETON