Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUDAPEST636
2009-09-03 13:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
ANTI GMO, BUT NO COMMENT: HUNGARY'S REPLY TO
how-toVZCZCXRO7776 RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHUP #0636 2461311 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 031311Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4458 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000636
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/TPP/ABT AND EUR/ERA
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR AND USDA/FAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EAGR EUN TBIO HU
SUBJECT: ANTI GMO, BUT NO COMMENT: HUNGARY'S REPLY TO
DEMARCHE ON SOY ISSUE AT SEPTEMBER 7 EU AGRICULTURE COUNCIL
MEETING
REF: STATE 86566
UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000636
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/TPP/ABT AND EUR/ERA
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR AND USDA/FAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EAGR EUN TBIO HU
SUBJECT: ANTI GMO, BUT NO COMMENT: HUNGARY'S REPLY TO
DEMARCHE ON SOY ISSUE AT SEPTEMBER 7 EU AGRICULTURE COUNCIL
MEETING
REF: STATE 86566
1. (SBU) Embassy's Commercial Section chief delivered
demarche points on September 1 to Dr. Laszlo Vajda, head of
the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's
Department of EU Coordination and International Relations.
Vajda is also Hungary's spokesperson for the Special
Agricultural Committee in Brussels. Vajda initially stated
that it was "almost certain" Hungary would not comment on
this issue at the September 7 ministerial meeting, but then
rephrased his answer to "unlikely to comment." He did
however affirm Hungary's negative position in regard to
genetically modified organisms (GMOs),and its overall
support for zero tolerance. He stated that the issue is
economically, politically, and socially complex, and that
Hungary's basic economic interests are supported by
maintaining a GMO free market (noting that Hungary exports
approximately 3 million tons of feed annually within the EU).
2. (SBU) Econoff separately delivered demarche points on
September 2 to Dr. Gabor Nagy, head of the Foreign Ministry's
EU Trade and Sectoral Policies Department. Nagy stated that
while consumers and producers stand firmly against all GMO
products for human consumption, Hungary does not currently
have an official position for the September 7 meeting. Nagy
elaborated that the Hungarian livestock industry already uses
some European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approved GMO-based
soy animal feed, and that this adds a layer of complexity to
the issue. Nagy stated that a position could however emerge
at the last minute, following a September 4 ministerial
meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Dr. Vajda appears to have the lead on this
issue, and his statements minimize the possibility of Hungary
commenting on September 7. Hungary sitting this one out may
be the best outcome for us, as their strong opposition to GMO
products is one of the few issues that unites all political
parties here-- a rare feat. Following the meeting on
September 4, Post will confirm that Hungary still has no plan
to comment on September 7 and report any significant change.
End comment.
LEVINE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/TPP/ABT AND EUR/ERA
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR AND USDA/FAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EAGR EUN TBIO HU
SUBJECT: ANTI GMO, BUT NO COMMENT: HUNGARY'S REPLY TO
DEMARCHE ON SOY ISSUE AT SEPTEMBER 7 EU AGRICULTURE COUNCIL
MEETING
REF: STATE 86566
1. (SBU) Embassy's Commercial Section chief delivered
demarche points on September 1 to Dr. Laszlo Vajda, head of
the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's
Department of EU Coordination and International Relations.
Vajda is also Hungary's spokesperson for the Special
Agricultural Committee in Brussels. Vajda initially stated
that it was "almost certain" Hungary would not comment on
this issue at the September 7 ministerial meeting, but then
rephrased his answer to "unlikely to comment." He did
however affirm Hungary's negative position in regard to
genetically modified organisms (GMOs),and its overall
support for zero tolerance. He stated that the issue is
economically, politically, and socially complex, and that
Hungary's basic economic interests are supported by
maintaining a GMO free market (noting that Hungary exports
approximately 3 million tons of feed annually within the EU).
2. (SBU) Econoff separately delivered demarche points on
September 2 to Dr. Gabor Nagy, head of the Foreign Ministry's
EU Trade and Sectoral Policies Department. Nagy stated that
while consumers and producers stand firmly against all GMO
products for human consumption, Hungary does not currently
have an official position for the September 7 meeting. Nagy
elaborated that the Hungarian livestock industry already uses
some European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approved GMO-based
soy animal feed, and that this adds a layer of complexity to
the issue. Nagy stated that a position could however emerge
at the last minute, following a September 4 ministerial
meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Dr. Vajda appears to have the lead on this
issue, and his statements minimize the possibility of Hungary
commenting on September 7. Hungary sitting this one out may
be the best outcome for us, as their strong opposition to GMO
products is one of the few issues that unites all political
parties here-- a rare feat. Following the meeting on
September 4, Post will confirm that Hungary still has no plan
to comment on September 7 and report any significant change.
End comment.
LEVINE