VZCZCXYZ0035
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #2304/01 3401714
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061714Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9855
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6719
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6606
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1613
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0933
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 6921
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ DEC OF AGRICULTURE USD FAS WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002304 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR ETRD ENRG PREL OVIP AR
SUBJECT:  ARGENTINA:  CHAIRMAN PETERSON'S MEETING WITH AGRICULTURE 
SECRETARY DE URQUIZA 
 
SIPDIS 
 
¶1. Summary:  House Agriculture Committee Chairman Colin Peterson, in 
Buenos Aires as a member of Representative Loretta Sanchez's CODEL, 
held separate meetings with GOA officials and Argentine legislators 
to discuss potential cooperation in biofuels, raise an IPR-related 
trade issue with Monsanto soybean seeds, and review the access of 
beef and other products to the countries' respective markets.  The 
meetings were constructive and helpful in laying out several paths 
for working through existing problems as well as for identifying 
areas for further U.S.-Argentine collaboration on bios fuels and in 
agricultural research and development.  End Summary. 
 
Secretary De Urquiza - Biofuels 
 
SIPDIS 
---------------------- 
 
¶2.  House Agriculture Chairman Colin Peterson and Representative 
Roscoe Bartlett, in Buenos Aires November 20-21 as members of 
Representative Loretta Sanchez's HASC CODEL (septels), held a 
separate meeting with Argentine Agriculture Secretary Dr. Javier De 
Urquiza.  Representatives Peterson and Bartlett were accompanied by 
Ambassador and AgCouns.  Rep. Peterson noted that the normal focus 
on trade disputes has tended to distract from the potential for 
cooperation in agriculture.  He said that biofuels is an area where 
there is particular potential to work together to the benefit of 
both countries.  Secretary De Urquiza emphasized that Argentina is 
interested in working with the U.S., and that biofuels is an area 
that they are in the process of developing.  In particular, they are 
working to develop small production plants owned by producers in the 
corn production areas.  Rep. Peterson explained that this is an area 
where the U.S. has particular expertise and offered to facilitate 
contacts with the U.S. private sector.  Rep. Bartlett raised during 
the discussion questions about the long-term sustainability of 
increased biofuels production.  Secretary De Urquiza explained that 
sustainability is one of the criteria they are focusing on as they 
develop biofuels and that they are looking at new products to use 
for biofuels production that go beyond soybean oil and corn. 
 
Monsanto Roundup Ready Soybeans 
---------------------- 
 
¶3.  Rep. Peterson also asked Secretary De Urquiza about the status 
of ongoing trade issues, including the payment of royalties for 
soybean seeds used with technology owned by Monsanto (roundup ready 
soybeans).  The Secretary responded that they are currently dealing 
with the lawsuits that Monsanto brought in Europe against exports of 
soybean products using roundup ready soybeans, but that they are 
seeking a solution.  They are aware that there are loopholes in the 
current law and are consulting with the technology companies, seed 
producers and users to develop a new law to deal with this issue. 
They want to ensure that companies do research and development in 
Argentina. 
 
Beef Imports 
--------------- 
 
¶4.  Rep. Peterson raised the issue of access for U.S. beef to 
Argentina, which is not currently allowed due to BSE-related 
restrictions.  The Secretary responded by noting that Argentina is 
also looking to export fresh beef to the U.S. and would like to see 
the current Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) related restrictions 
removed.  Secretary De Urquiza noted that Argentina is not likely to 
greatly increase its exports to the U.S. (they currently restricting 
beef exports), nor is the U.S. likely to be a major exporter of beef 
to Argentina.  Both sides need to find a way to open their markets 
to get this issue behind us. 
 
Argentine Lemons 
---------------------- 
 
¶5.  Secretary De Urquiza inquired about the status of exporting 
lemons to the U.S., an issue that was discussed with Rep. Peterson 
during a previous visit.  De Urquiza claimed that there were no 
solid scientific reasons for the current restriction and that 
Argentina would be shipping during the U.S. off season.  Rep. 
Peterson responded that he had looked at this issue, but any 
resolution appeared to be very complicated.  Direct contacts between 
producers in both countries could help to facilitate a solution, 
since there is potential for cooperation in areas such as scientific 
investigation.  Ambassador Wayne noted that the Governor of Florida 
had recently visited Argentina and may return with a delegation that 
could include citrus producers. 
 
Agriculture Committee Chair Ana Maria Berraute 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  On November 21, Rep. Peterson and AgCouns met with his 
counterpart Representative Ana Maria Berraute, Chair of the 
Agriculture and Livestock Committee in the Argentine lower house 
(Camera de Diputados).  The two legislators discussed the status of 
the U.S. Farm Bill legislation, development of the biofuels sector 
in Argentina, expectations for the political horizon in Argentina, 
and the status of a proposed biotech seed law related to Roundup 
Ready soybeans and corn.  With respect to development of a 
corn-ethanol industry in Argentina, Rep. Peterson shared his view 
that it is important to create tax incentives and other supports to 
jump-start the industry.  Berraute said the only legislation in 
Argentina so far is the biofuels law, and that biofuels development 
is occurring mainly in the biodiesel sector.  Rep. Peterson asked 
whether Ms. Berraute has been working on the proposed seed law.  She 
said that she read in the newspaper that Secretary De Urquiza is 
working on something, but there had not been any bill officially 
presented to the House.  She doubted that any advancement would be 
made on the bill until President-Elect Christina Kirchner takes 
office on December 10.  Berraute also noted that she was not sure 
whether she will remain as the head of the Agriculture Committee. 
 
¶7.  Comment:  Post appreciates Representative Peterson's good 
dialogue with Argentine interlocutors and very much welcomes similar 
future visits. 
 
¶8.  Rep. Peterson did not have the opportunity to clear on this 
message before departure from Buenos Aires. 
 
KELLY