Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRATISLAVA389
2009-09-04 13:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
SOY DEMARCHE: SLOVAKIA SYMPATHETIC BUT NON-COMMITTAL
how-toVZCZCXRO8946 PP RUEHSL DE RUEHSL #0389 2471349 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 041349Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0147 INFO RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0181
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000389
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT FOR MARCELLA SZYMANSKI AND JACK BOBO,
OES FOR DANIELLE WOOD, EUR/ERA
USDA/FAS FOR STEVE FROGGETT
WARSAW FOR FAS AND ECON SECTIONS
PRAGUE FOR FAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EUN TBIO USTR LO
SUBJECT: SOY DEMARCHE: SLOVAKIA SYMPATHETIC BUT NON-COMMITTAL
REF: STATE 86566
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000389
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT FOR MARCELLA SZYMANSKI AND JACK BOBO,
OES FOR DANIELLE WOOD, EUR/ERA
USDA/FAS FOR STEVE FROGGETT
WARSAW FOR FAS AND ECON SECTIONS
PRAGUE FOR FAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EUN TBIO USTR LO
SUBJECT: SOY DEMARCHE: SLOVAKIA SYMPATHETIC BUT NON-COMMITTAL
REF: STATE 86566
1. (SBU) Taking advantage of a gathering of agricultural leaders
at Slovakia's largest agricultural fair in Nitra, we discussed
reftel points with industry groups, including Monsanto, and
delivered reftel points to officials in the Ministry of
Agriculture, including Agriculture Section Director Jarmila
Dubravska. Slovak officials were not well-informed about the
case involving the discovery of unapproved biotech corn (MON
88017) dust on U.S. soy product imports to the EU. However, GOS
officials did recognize the potential impact a halt in U.S. soy
products could have in Europe. They did not offer a specific
assessment of the suspension on the Slovak livestock industry
but agreed that it would be significant.
2. (SBU) While GOS officials were sympathetic to U.S. concerns,
they did not commit to action with the EC or in the September 7
EU Agriculture Council meeting, citing upcoming management
changes in the Slovak Ministry of Agriculture. Current Ag
Minister Stanislav Becik is being forced to resign and his
rumored replacement, Vladimir Chovan, has not yet been
appointed. Given the planned change, we also delivered reftel
points to Chovan in his current capacity as Chairman of the
Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber (SPPK). Chovan has been
supportive of U.S. biotech efforts in the past, but it is
unclear how his position might change once he assumes his
position at the Agriculture Ministry.
3. (SBU) To further complicate matters, rumors persist that two
scandal-plagued ministries, the Ministries of Environment and
Agriculture, will be merged to form a mega Ministry with
oversight over all agricultural, forestry, and environmental
concerns. We will continue to monitor these potential changes
and report on the potential impact for the U.S. biotech industry.
EDDINS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT FOR MARCELLA SZYMANSKI AND JACK BOBO,
OES FOR DANIELLE WOOD, EUR/ERA
USDA/FAS FOR STEVE FROGGETT
WARSAW FOR FAS AND ECON SECTIONS
PRAGUE FOR FAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EUN TBIO USTR LO
SUBJECT: SOY DEMARCHE: SLOVAKIA SYMPATHETIC BUT NON-COMMITTAL
REF: STATE 86566
1. (SBU) Taking advantage of a gathering of agricultural leaders
at Slovakia's largest agricultural fair in Nitra, we discussed
reftel points with industry groups, including Monsanto, and
delivered reftel points to officials in the Ministry of
Agriculture, including Agriculture Section Director Jarmila
Dubravska. Slovak officials were not well-informed about the
case involving the discovery of unapproved biotech corn (MON
88017) dust on U.S. soy product imports to the EU. However, GOS
officials did recognize the potential impact a halt in U.S. soy
products could have in Europe. They did not offer a specific
assessment of the suspension on the Slovak livestock industry
but agreed that it would be significant.
2. (SBU) While GOS officials were sympathetic to U.S. concerns,
they did not commit to action with the EC or in the September 7
EU Agriculture Council meeting, citing upcoming management
changes in the Slovak Ministry of Agriculture. Current Ag
Minister Stanislav Becik is being forced to resign and his
rumored replacement, Vladimir Chovan, has not yet been
appointed. Given the planned change, we also delivered reftel
points to Chovan in his current capacity as Chairman of the
Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber (SPPK). Chovan has been
supportive of U.S. biotech efforts in the past, but it is
unclear how his position might change once he assumes his
position at the Agriculture Ministry.
3. (SBU) To further complicate matters, rumors persist that two
scandal-plagued ministries, the Ministries of Environment and
Agriculture, will be merged to form a mega Ministry with
oversight over all agricultural, forestry, and environmental
concerns. We will continue to monitor these potential changes
and report on the potential impact for the U.S. biotech industry.
EDDINS