GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

UNCLAS VIENNA 001795 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON AU SUBJECT: GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD (GPAF): AUSTRIA SUPPORTIVE; EMPHASIS ON LOCAL EMPOWERMENT REF: STATE 123480 ¶1. Embassy reps shared ref discussion points with relevant stakeholders in the Austrian MFA (Ministry of European and International Affairs) and Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. We followed up with Manfred Schnitzer from the MFA Development Assistance / Program Planning unit, who has the lead on this issue and gave an unofficial reply. ¶2. Schnitzer said Austria welcomes GPAF and indicated support for most of the ideas in the USG talking points. The GOA would emphasized particularly local planning and leadership, improving the functioning of local food markets, and monitoring / accountability (paras 2 and 5 of the talking points). ¶3. In more general terms, Austria would strongly support having the following principles in GPAF: -- Support the social and ecological sustainability of agriculture production in the developing world; -- Encourage and empower independent (preferably small-scale) farms instead of Qbig agro-businessQ; -- consulting on how to bring products from the local farms to markets; -- securing agricultureQs added value for the economy; and -- guaranteeing good governance. ¶4. Schnitzer welcomed further cooperation on this issue but was not in the position to say whether Austria would join the GPAF, since no formal invitation has been issued. He asked for a written request to Assistant Secretary Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl (via Post) in case the Department is interested in an official Austrian position on GPAF. GIRARD-DICARLO