MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE PRESENTS WISH LIST FOR

UNCLAS TUNIS 000208 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG (HARRIS) AND OES STATE PASS USTR (BELL),USAID (MCCLOUD) USDOC FOR ITA/MAC/ONE (NATHAN MASON),ADVOCACY CTR (JAMES) RABAT FOR FAS (FAY) CASABLANCA FOR FCS (ORTIZ) LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER AMMAN FOR ESTH (WHITTLESEY) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD BEXP KFLU OEXC TS SUBJECT: MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE PRESENTS WISH LIST FOR COOPERATION REF: TUNIS 105 ¶1. (U) Summary: During the Ambassador's February 8 courtesy call, Minister of Agriculture Habib Haddad presented a list of possible projects for future collaboration with US universities. Haddad stated that liberalization of cereal imports is being studied and also asserted that the agricultural sector is well-organized to confront avian influenza. Ambassador expressed interest in increasing both USG and private sector engagement in the agricultural sector. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) During his courtesy call with the Ambassador, Minister of Agriculture Habib Haddad stressed the importance of US cooperation and investment. Haddad noted that many Tunisians had benefited from scholarship and exchange programs such as the Cochran, Fulbright, and Borlaug Fellowships, and hoped that the number of Tunisians able to benefit from these fellowships would increase. In the course of the meeting, Professor Abdelaziz Mougou, President of the Institute for Research and Higher Education in Agriculture (part of the Ministry of Agriculture),presented a list of possible projects for cooperative research between US universities and Tunisian research institutes in the areas of integrated pest management, dairy productivity, saline agriculture, and sustainable land management. Haddad also noted his interest in developing organic agriculture in Tunisia and mentioned certification of organic products as a possible area for USG assistance. Ambassador raised the possibility of a USG economic delegation (reftel) and/or trade mission, ideas that were enthusiastically received by Minister Haddad. In response to Ambassador's question about liberalization of the cereal sector, Haddad stated that the Ministry is "studying" what parts of the sector might be liberalized. (Note: The state-run Office of Cereals maintains a monopoly on cereal imports. End Note.) ¶3. (SBU) In discussing GOT preparedness to deal with avian influenza (AI),Haddad asserted that the agricultural sector is well-organized and noted that there have as yet been no cases in Tunisia. The GOT has established an inter-ministerial commission on AI and has drafted a manual of procedures that will be followed in the event AI is discovered. The GOT has stopped the sale of live chickens and also continues to monitor and test poultry for the virus. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: As we seek to expand the breadth and increase the level of economic engagement in Tunisia, the agricultural sector presents an area with opportunities for cooperation not only with the USG, but also with private trade organizations (such as the USDA cooperators), companies, and universities. In conjunction with any USG economic delegation or trade mission, Post would encourage the inclusion of an agricultural representative. The recent GOT focus on increasing educational exchange and linkages highlights an additional area for possible collaboration between the GOT and United States. End Comment. GODEC