AMBASSADOR MEETS POLAND'S NEW AG.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 002313 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS USDA FAS FOR OFSA/LEE, SCHAYES, YOUNG; OCRA/CURTIS, SEIDBAND; OSTA/MACKE, HAMILTON, OGA/CHAUDHRY STATE FOR EUR/NCE, INR BRUSSELS PASS AG MINISTER COUNSELOR; EUROPEAN POSTS PASS AGR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO PGOV PL SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS POLAND'S NEW AG. MINISTER SAWICKI. DOOR OPEN FOR BIOTECH TALKS WARSAW 00002313 001.2 OF 002 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED REF: WARSAW 2230 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Dec. 3, Ambassador Ashe called on new AgMinister Marek Sawicki, accompanied by AgCounselor. As reported reftel, Sawicki is a member of Poland's minority party, PSL, in the new governing coalition with PO that came to office after parliamentary elections Oct. 21. Minister Sawicki spoke warmly about relations with the United States and outlined his priorities for the improvement of Polish agriculture, mentioning his concern about farmer incomes and retirement social security programs. The Minister commented with moderation on biotechnology, hinting at a recognition of Poland's EU commission problems. Sawicki mentioned interest in attending the WIREC Ministerial energy conference and requested more information. End summary. ¶2. (U) Ashe congratulated Sawicki on his appointment to his position. Sawicki answered that he had been born on a farm in Sawice, a farm he now owns. Sawicki extended his appreciation for the visit and offered that America is a great nation. Sawicki thanked USDA for approving sanitary regulations to allow Polish pork exports to the United States. ¶3. (SBU) Ashe said that agricultural biotechnology benefits farms and the environment simultaneously and is helping to advance biofuel research. He said Poland's upcoming ban on biotechnology varieties in animal feeds was harmful to Poland's farm economy. Sawicki replied that Polish regulations are very strict, but that he supports the EU solutions to raise the zero tolerance of GMO presence in feeds and food. He added he was against GMO's in general, but thought it worthwhile to cooperate with the United States to find solutions to EU problems with the technology. In a follow up question on biotechnology, Sawicki shared that he takes resolving the feed ban problem seriously, and may be interested in talking about other Poland biotech problems later. He said work must be done to inform the public about biotechnology and its benefits. ¶4. (U) Mentioning the upcoming U.S. Ministerial conference on biofuels, Ashe inquired whether Sawicki might attend. Sawicki replied that biofuels will be a major initiative of his work and he will be working hard to influence the Ministry of Economy on the issue to support Polish farmers. He expressed interest in attending the WIREC Ministerial March 4-6. ¶5. (U) Ashe informed Sawicki of USDA's decision to acknowledge the contribution of Dr. Henryk Jasiorowski, a Polish agricultural scientist, at an upcoming ceremony at the CMR, January 17, 2008. Sawicki replied that Jasiorowski was an excellent choice. He will try to attend. (Comment. USDA's award for Dr. Jasiorowski highlights Poland's agricultural contributions to the globe and was a post-initiated award. Jasiorowski was a pioneer animal feed expert that helped promote studies that favored U.S. feeds and animal breeds after WWII, building markets in Europe for these products. Dr. Jasiorowski has been a tireless promoter and board member of the global NGO - The Heifer Project, offering free animals to the poor in the developing world. End comment.) ¶6. (SBU) Sawicki offered his goals for his term as Agricultural Minister. He emphasized his devotion to the Common Agricultural Policy and his alliance with French Ag. Minister Barnier to forestall cuts in the future. He wishes to see Polish farmers' payments harmonized with Western Europe. He wants to see more producer groups acting as collectives WARSAW 00002313 002.2 OF 002 to process their products, and complimented the American model of the producer group. Collectives exist for the dairy industry, but more farm processing is needed, he said. Sawicki shared his concern with farm pensions. Poland's pension program for farmers is separate from other programs and is not as well funded as other sectors. He is concerned about outmigration of Poland's brightest pupils to other EU member states. He wants more and better jobs in agriculture created in Poland. ¶7. (SBU) Comment. The new minister must balance consumer opposition to biotechnology with renewed pressure from the EU to resolve Polish legislative problems on biotech. Sawicki is interested in close contact with the United States and in dialog about biotechnology. The meeting confirms Poland's strong opposition to CAP reform. End comment. ASHE