US embassy cable - 05BRATISLAVA713

UNCLAS  BRATISLAVA 000713 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV, EAGR, ETRD, LO 
SUBJECT: SENIOR ADVISOR SPIRNAK, GMOS, AND SLOVAKIA 
 
REF: BRATISLAVA 412 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
1.  (U) Summary.  During the July 29 to August 1 visit of 
Madelyn Spirnak, the Department's Senior Advisor on 
Agricultural Technology, Econoffs obtained additional 
insight into the status of genetically modified organisms 
(GMOs) in Slovakia.  In science and industry, Slovaks appear 
educated, practical, and even eager to employ the benefits 
of GMOs.  Business interests and farmers are also 
enthusiastic. However, politicians remain uninformed and 
susceptible to the alarmist tactics of oppositions groups 
and neighboring countries.  All seem to agree that the tide 
of public opinion, which remains largely undecided, will 
eventually sway the politicians and settle the GMO debate in 
Slovakia.  End Summary. 
 
SCIENTISTS AND THE LAW 
--------------------------------------- 
 
2.  (U) According to Katarina Benovska, Methodologist of 
Legal Protection of the Central Agricultural Inspection and 
Testing Institute (CAITI), GMOs are not a significant 
priority because none of the EU approved seeds are critical 
to Slovak farmlands. (Comment: Benovska referred 
specifically to the European corn borer insect which is not 
currently a problem and therefore neither harmful pesticides 
or corn borer resistant crops are necessary.  GMO seed 
sellers Pioneer and Monsanto, however, stated that the 
infestation is migrating to Slovakia and will become a 
problem.  End Comment.)  Regardless, CAITI has been tasked 
by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) to draft a "co- 
existence" law that delineates the rules for using GMO 
seeds.  Benovska, indicated that the law was a high priority 
for CAITI and the MOA and that they hoped the law would 
reach parliament by February 2006.  When Spirnak stated that 
the Czech Republic's co-existence legislation would likely 
be quite liberal and Hungary's equate to a de facto ban, 
Benovska responded that Slovakia's would likely lie 
"somewhere in between". 
 
3.  (U) Scientists in Slovakia are working on and with GMO 
products and seem little-affected by the rigorous political 
debate over the issue.  In meetings with scientific NGOs and 
academic institutions, Spirnak and Econoffs encountered 
professionals who comprehend the science of GMOs and 
cooperate on international GMO-related projects.  Maria 
Chrenkova, Deputy Director of the Institute for Animal 
Nutrition, for instance, has worked on a project testing the 
effects of GMO feed on animals (which after years of testing 
has shown no difference from non-GMO feed).  Anna Pretova, 
Director of the Institute of Plant Genetics and 
Biotechnology, and scientists from the Institute of Plant 
Production have also been working on an EU-funded project 
testing the effects of next-generation GMO feed for animals. 
The scientists uniformly agreed, however, that Slovakia 
lacked a consistent national strategy or plan for future 
development of biotechnology, so the prospects for continued 
research are uncertain. 
 
FARMERS AND BUSINESS 
------------------------------------- 
 
4.  (SBU) Throughout the meetings, scientists, technical 
experts, bureaucrats, politicians and NGO representatives 
conceded that GMOs could provide significant economic 
opportunities.  In fact, representatives of Monsanto and 
Pioneer asserted that Slovak farmers are anxious to buy the 
seeds that will enable them to grow products more 
efficiently and save money on pesticides and herbicides.  In 
addition, a Slovak company called Enviral, would like to 
purchase and convert GMO corn into Ethanol at its new plant. 
The GOS, however, appears slow to react to these interests. 
Jan Galoci, Senior State Counselor for International Trade 
at the Ministry of Economy (MOE), declared that the trade 
volume of agriculture between Slovakia and the U.S. was so 
small that the MOE had little interest in advocating against 
GMO trade barriers.  Galoci further concluded that even on 
the EU level, it was scarcely a battle worth fighting. 
(Comment: Spirnak and Econoffs patiently explained the 
deficiencies of such positions but made little progress with 
Galoci.  End Comment.) 
 
POLITICIANS AND PUBLIC OPINION 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
5.  (SBU) The Slovak scientists that met with Spirnak and 
Econoffs conceded that they wield little influence with 
politicians and the various factors that motivate their 
decisions (reftel).  They are determined, however, to 
educate the public about both the benefits and potential 
 
downsides of GMOs.  As a result, they hope an informed 
public will advance an enlightened GMO policy from its 
government.  While in Slovakia, Spirnak facilitated this 
process by drawing positive attention to GMOs and via media 
interviews, both in print and television.  In addition, we 
will use the Ambassador's upcoming courtesy calls to nudge 
the politicians along. 
 
VALLEE 
 
 
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