Cablegate: Poland: Biotech Policy Uncertain-Positive Change

VZCZCXRO3762
PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHWR #2265 3271107
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 231107Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY WARSAW
TO RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY 2026
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5533
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
RUEHKW/AMCONSUL KRAKOW 1909
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS WARSAW 002265

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO USTR FOR MCLARKSON
USDA/FAS FOR EJONES
STATE FOR EEB/TPP/ABT/BTT FOR JBOBO AND EUR/ERA FOR SGRAY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD EUN TBIO PL
SUBJECT: POLAND: BIOTECH POLICY UNCERTAIN-POSITIVE CHANGE
POSSIBLE

REF: A. STATE 158225

B. WARSAW 2230

1. (U) On 21 November AgAtt Kate Snipes delivered ref. A
demarche on the EU discussion regarding a tolerance level for
low level presence of unapproved biotech products to Dr.
Andzej Wojtyla, Head of Sanitary Inspection and Emilia
Kalinska, Specialist on GM Food at the Polish Ministry of
Health and Dr. Ewa Lech, Chief Veterinary Officer at the
Polish Ministry of Agriculture.

2. (SBU) In separate meetings Kalinska and Lech both said
that Poland does not have a formal position on the matter of
low level presence (LLP) at this time due to the change in
government. Kalinska stated that under the previous coalition
government led by Law and Justice (PiS) she was confident
Poland would have been against any tolerance level for LLP
for unapproved products but noted there may be more
flexibility in the new government. Lech speculated that the
new government's position may be more pragmatic regarding ag
biotech. She added that both the Polish pork industry and the
Ministry of Agriculture officials responsible for feed are
aware of the limits of non-GM feed supplies and are concerned
that limited access to feed would make Polish producers less
competitive and raise meat prices for Polish consumers.

3. (U) Kalinska confirmed that if tolerances were adopted by
the EU, Poland would have the capacity to test and measure
them with five laboratories approved as part of the EU
Network of GM Laboratories (ENGL).

4. (U) The formal coalition agreement was signed between
Civic Platform (PO) and the Polish People's Party (PSL) on
the morning of November 23. The official Polish position on
ag biotech will be decided under this new leadership. (See
ref. B.)
ASHE

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