US embassy cable - 04LJUBLJANA433

UNCLAS  LJUBLJANA 000433 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/NCE, EUR/ERA, EB 
USDOC FOR 4232/MAC/EUR/EERIS/CEEBIC/BURGESS/ROGERS 
VIENNA FOR AG COUNSELOR 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR, ECON, ETRD, PINR, SI 
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA: COM CALLS ON NEW MINISTER OF 
AGRICULTURE 
 
 
Sensitive but Unclassified.  Please protect 
accordingly. 
 
1.  (U) SUMMARY.  In a 04 May meeting, new Minister of 
Agriculture, Milan Pogacnik, told COM that Slovenia is 
"prepared" to adopt EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 
guidelines, though not without some adjustment pains. 
Pogacnik also expressed a strong desire to work with 
the Mission in matters of mutual interest such as 
sustainable development, environmental protection, and 
in advancing the Doha Development Agenda.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (U) On 04 May, COM, accompanied by DCM, Econoff, 
and Econ Specialist, called on new AgMin Milan Pogacnik 
to congratulate him on his recent appointment as 
minister, and to seek his insights on the impact EU 
membership will have on Slovenia's agricultural sector. 
Dusan Vujadinovic, State Undersecretary for Agriculture 
and Marina Rojko, Public Relations, also participated 
in the meeting. 
 
The "Technical Minister" 
------------------------ 
 
3.  (U) Appearing relaxed and confident, Pogacnik 
described himself as the "technical minister."  "I am a 
technical minister, not a politician.  This is a new 
experience for me." [NOTE: Pogacnik has taught at the 
National Veterinary Institute for over thirty years. 
END NOTE].  He expects to apply the management skills 
gained running the Institute in his new capacity as 
minister.  "I have experience running institutions, and 
here in the Ministry, I have the support of very 
knowledgeable and qualified colleagues," commented 
Pogacnik.  [NOTE: Pogacnik is a professor of 
Pathological Morphology, Forensic Veterinary Medicine 
at the National Veterinary Institute, serving as Dean 
since 1990.  He spent time in the U.S., conducting 
research in agro-forestry development.  As he told COM, 
"my experience in the U.S. introduced me to the concept 
of sustainable development." END NOTE]. 
 
Common Agricultural Policy/EU 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
-------- 
 
4. (U) When COM asked Pogacnik about Slovenia's 
preparations to adopt the EU's CAP guidelines, he 
indicated that his predecessor had worked diligently 
and had prepared the framework for Slovenia's entry. 
"Minister France But did excellent work at the 
Ministry, and in meetings with EU officials," Pogacnik 
observed.  The AgMin noted that dairy producers and 
small farmers would be most affected by CAP 
regulations.  Despite the possible displacement of some 
farmers, Pogacnik was hopeful that Slovenia's focus on 
environmental protection and rural development will 
preserve traditional farming.  Responding to COM's 
question regarding the loss of preferential trade 
tariffs with southeastern European countries, Pogacnik 
reported that the "change would be negligible."  [NOTE: 
Slovenian farmers are expected to receive Euro 75 
million in 2004; Euro 84 million in 2005; Euro 89 
million in 2006.  Slovenia will implement CAP by 2007. 
END NOTE]. 
 
5.  (U) Pogacnik told COM that Slovenia will remain 
engaged in finding ways to foment free trade in 
agriculture in line with Doha Development Agenda 
principles.  He did not offer, however, any specifics 
on areas where Slovenia may encourage the EU to promote 
agricultural reforms based on the DDA. 
 
GMO 
--- 
 
6. (U) COM informed Pogacnik of the U.S.'s interest in 
making sure that the EU suspends its self-imposed GMO 
moratorium, and of the costs associated with 
traceability and labeling requirements.  Pogacnik told 
COM that "Slovenia is relatively conservative when it 
comes to GMOs." Slovenian farmers have opted for an 
"organic agricultural production" approach hoping to 
fill a niche.  Pogacnik added that much remains to 
educate consumers about GMOs, but offered no comment 
 
 
regarding Slovenia's stance on the EU's GMO moratorium, 
or costs associated with traceability and labeling 
requirements. 
 
BSE 
--- 
 
7.  (U) Pogacnik indicated that Slovenia follows 
"strict controls" when dealing with possible cases of 
BSE.  He reported that over 65,000 head of cattle are 
tested annually, and that new legislation is in line 
with EU directives.  The new legislation bans certain 
ingredients (i.e. -- cattle brains) from feed products. 
Pogacnik seemed to be content with the mechanism in 
place to prevent and control possible BSE outbreaks. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
8. (SBU) Pogacnik's ability to leave a mark in the 
Ministry will be limited.  The self-described 
"technical minister" understands that he is a caretaker 
until a new government is formed at the end of this 
year.  However, he did not rule out the possibility of 
staying on as AgMin if offered the position --"never 
say never," he quipped when COM asked him about his 
future.  Pogacnik struck us as an open and frank 
interlocutor, genuinely interested in developing closer 
ties with the U.S. whether through educational 
exchanges or through other means.  END COMMENT. 
 
YOUNG 
 
 
NNNN