Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ZAGREB31
2009-01-21 14:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:  

PROPOSAL FOR EEB BIOTECH OUTREACH FUNDING

Tags:  EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO KPAO HR 
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VZCZCXYZ0017
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHVB #0031 0211408
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211408Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8938
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000031

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/PPD, EUR/SCE, IIP/S Richard Taylor, and
EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT Marcella Szymanski and Jack Bobo

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO KPAO HR
SUBJECT: PROPOSAL FOR EEB BIOTECH OUTREACH FUNDING

SUMMARY: Post proposes bringing a speaker from the U.S. scientific
community to Croatia to engage officials, students, scientists, and
the media in discussions about the science of biotechnology. By
promoting a science-based approach to food safety, regulation, and
risk assessment, the program would work toward opening the door for
imports of more U.S. products. Post requests $3,000 of EEB biotech
outreach funds to implement this program to pay for travel ($1,500)
and three days of honorarium ($600)/per diem ($900) for a U.S.
expert. The speaker would have two program days that would include
lectures/presentations to university students and meetings with key
academics, journalists, members of parliament, and other government
officials. The project would be a cooperative effort of post's
economic and public affairs sections, FAS and FCS. We would utilize
the IIP Speaker Program to coordinate the speaker schedule. April or
May would be the best time to reach our audiences. It would also
allow this program to serve as a lead-in to a conference on
genetically modified organisms (GMO) and other issues of animal
nutrition and feed production scheduled for June 1-3, 2009, and
sponsored by the Krmiva Zagreb and Croatian Association of Feed
Producers, Technologists and Nutritionists. We prefer to program our
speaker separately from the conference itself to help preview U.S.
policy positions and thus influence the agenda without engaging a
public debate on GMO issues. The Foreign Agricultural Service plans
to send a speaker to the Krmiva Conference.

Target Audiences:

Target audiences include Food agency and public health officials,
members of parliament, Ministry of Agriculture staff, academics
(students and scientists) in agriculture, biology, and food science,
journalists.

Biotech Issues to be Addressed:

The seminars and discussions will focus on the safety of genetically
modified feed for animals and safety of meat from these animals for
humans, as well as the importance of science-based regulatory
systems.

How this project would meet U.S. policy objectives:

This project would work toward opening the door for U.S. products by
promoting a science-based approach to food safety, regulation, and
risk assessment. In the first ten months of 2008, Croatia imported
about $75 million worth of soy meal and $45 million worth of grains.
Mostly due to concerns and regulations related to biotech, none of
these products came from the U.S.

Public opposition to biotech products is significant in Croatia.
Until recently, Croatian law stipulated zero tolerance for
genetically modified organisms (GMO). The government has now adopted
a law in line with the EU standard of allowing trace amounts of GMO
for approved "GM events" and properly labeled GMO products. The
government is currently developing regulations to implement the law.
A change in the law and regulations, however, will not be sufficient
to change public perceptions. Past incidents when trace amounts of
GMO were found in food products that were not properly labeled
caused serious financial damage to companies as they took steps to
respond to public perceptions.

At the same time, Croatia has a strong tradition in and respect for
science. Thus, a focus on the importance of relying on science in
biotech decisions is an essential part of any effort to promote a
more balanced position about biotechnology in Croatia. This year, in
particular, is a good time to engage Croatian officials, academics,
media and the public on biotech issues, as the government develops
regulations for the new law.

Contact information:

Economic officer Sara Litke will be the primary contact person for
this proposal (litkesl@state.gov, +385 1 661 2419). The public
affairs contact will be Robert Post (postjr@state.gov,
+385-91-661-2213).
BRADTKE