Indonesian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Advocates

UNCLAS JAKARTA 000097

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS AND EB/IFD/OMA
USDA/FAS/OA BREWER, STOLL
USDA/FAS/OCRA HALE, HIGGISTON, RADLER
USDA/FAS/OGA HOUSE, DWYER, ROCKE
USDA/FAS/OSTA BLUM, MACKE, BERMAN, WETZEL
USDA/FAS/OCBD SHEIKH, KREAMER, GROVES
USTR WEISEL, EHLERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAGR ETRD ID
SUBJECT: Indonesian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Advocates
Closer Agricultural Ties Through Food Security

1.(U) On January 14, 2010 Deputy Chief of Mission Theodore G.
Osius met with Dr. Bayu Krisnamurthi, Deputy Minister,
Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture to discuss options for
greater cooperation in the agricultural sector. Food security
presents an opportunity to encourage greater U.S. private sector
cooperation. Bayu hopes for greater ties through agricultural
education. He also sought ways to resolve outstanding
agricultural trade issues, although he acknowledged political
limitations.


Food Security
--------------

2.(U) Dr. Krisnamurthi stated that he wished to establish a
mechanism for discussing agricultural issues with the United
States. He noted that these discussions could be about
bilateral trade, food security, or other ways the United States
and Indonesia could collaborate to achieve their "mutual potential"
in agriculture. With Dr. Krisnamurthi's
encouragement, U.S. Ambassador Cameron Hume will host a food
security roundtable on January 26, which will include Indonesian
government officials, academia and members of the U.S. private
sector, the roundtable will address potential the private sector
roles in addressing Indonesia's food security challenges.


3. (U) Following up on a previous suggestion from Dr.
Krisnamurthi, the DCM stated that Post would like to hold a
joint workshop with Indonesia in late March 2010. The workshop
will promote food security through increased capacity in
agricultural technology and private investment. The DCM asked
that Dr. Krisnamurthi provide Post officials with a point of
contact from his office for future coordination and planning
activities. Dr. Krisnamurthi stated that his primary
responsibilities as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture is to
promote investment in Indonesia's agricultural sector has been
identified as a top priority for President Yudhoyono's second
term.


4. (U) Mr. Krisnamurthi noted that in the 1970s and 1980s, as
many as 300 Indonesians received advanced degrees from U.S. Land
Grant Universities under a USAID program. He stressed that this
program has been critical to Indonesia's food security and
agricultural development, as well as fundamental for the United
State - Indonesia bilateral relationship.


Bilateral Trade of Agricultural Products
--------------


5. (U) The DCM thanked Dr. Krisnamurthi for the Ministry of
Agriculture's November 2009 recognition of the U.S. food safety
control system for all fresh foods of plant origin for a two-
year period. The DCM stated that this kind of bilateral
engagement is critical to solving other outstanding issues in
the trade of agricultural products, specifically citing
challenges to U.S beef and pork exports to Indonesia. He also
requested that the Ministry of Agriculture work with its U.S.
interlocutors to resolve trade issues prior to the visit of
DUSTR Demetrios Marantis in February 2010.


6. (SBU) Dr. Krisnamurthi acknowledged that he there are no
animal science-based reasons for Indonesia to maintain its ban
on U.S. fresh pork and pork products. However, he is aware that
it will be politically difficult to change the ban.


7. (U) The DCM informed Dr. Krisnamurthi that U.S. officials are
concerned that the Ministry of Agriculture has been noticeably
absent from recent United States - Indonesia Trade and
Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) discussions. He
encouraged the MOA to attend and participate at the next round.


U.S. Agency for International Development Discussion Items


8. (U) The USAID Mission Director informed Dr. Krisnamurthi that
USAID is planning on a successor program for the Agribusiness
Market and Support Activity (AMARTA) in Indonesia, which would
have university partnership component. Dr. Krisnamurthi stated
that the Ministry of Agriculture is currently developing a new
zootic committee, which will focus on other animal health issues,
as well as Avian Influenza.

Hume