Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRATISLAVA446
2009-10-15 13:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
SLOVAKIA FOR NEW BT CORN VARIETIES, AGAINST ZERO TOLERANCE
how-toVZCZCXRO0815 PP RUEHSL DE RUEHSL #0446 2881347 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 151347Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0209 INFO RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0005 RUEHPG/AMEMBASSY PRAGUE 0008 RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0248
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000446
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: SLOVAKIA FOR NEW BT CORN VARIETIES, AGAINST ZERO TOLERANCE
REF: STATE 106819
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000446
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: SLOVAKIA FOR NEW BT CORN VARIETIES, AGAINST ZERO TOLERANCE
REF: STATE 106819
1. We delivered reftel points to Dr. Milan Pesko in the Ministry
of Agriculture's Office for Genetically Modified Food and
Scientific Cooperation and Igor Ferencik in the Ministry of
Environment's Biosafety Department. Both of them indicated
Slovakia would vote favorably in the two October 19 biotech
votes, in the EU Agriculture Council for the three maize
varieties for import from Monsanto and Pioneer and in the
Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health on the two
products for import, MIR604 maize and the renewal of Syngenta's
Bt11 maize. We reiterated that a favorable view toward biotech
needed to be followed with a vote of yes; abstention is not
enough.
2. Dr. Pesko will be in Brussels next week for the proceedings.
He additionally stated that Slovakia is not in favor of the EU's
zero tolerance policy for unapproved biotech products, saying
that a low level presence policy made more sense. He said
Slovakia would be prepared to share its position if the issue is
put on the agenda. We encouraged Slovakia to be proactive and
advocate more broadly for its position. Pesko's statements
square with what we have heard from other agriculture officials,
up to and including the Minister of Agriculture, who have
indicated support for biotech in Slovakia and opposition to zero
tolerance policies in the EU.
EDDINS
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: SLOVAKIA FOR NEW BT CORN VARIETIES, AGAINST ZERO TOLERANCE
REF: STATE 106819
1. We delivered reftel points to Dr. Milan Pesko in the Ministry
of Agriculture's Office for Genetically Modified Food and
Scientific Cooperation and Igor Ferencik in the Ministry of
Environment's Biosafety Department. Both of them indicated
Slovakia would vote favorably in the two October 19 biotech
votes, in the EU Agriculture Council for the three maize
varieties for import from Monsanto and Pioneer and in the
Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health on the two
products for import, MIR604 maize and the renewal of Syngenta's
Bt11 maize. We reiterated that a favorable view toward biotech
needed to be followed with a vote of yes; abstention is not
enough.
2. Dr. Pesko will be in Brussels next week for the proceedings.
He additionally stated that Slovakia is not in favor of the EU's
zero tolerance policy for unapproved biotech products, saying
that a low level presence policy made more sense. He said
Slovakia would be prepared to share its position if the issue is
put on the agenda. We encouraged Slovakia to be proactive and
advocate more broadly for its position. Pesko's statements
square with what we have heard from other agriculture officials,
up to and including the Minister of Agriculture, who have
indicated support for biotech in Slovakia and opposition to zero
tolerance policies in the EU.
EDDINS