SOY DEMARCHE: SLOVAKIA SYMPATHETIC BUT NON-COMMITTAL

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