Release No. 0831.95

                                      Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623

Statement

            by Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman
         on the Results of the EU Scientific Conference
             on Growth Promotants in Meat Production
                        December 1, 1995


"I am pleased that the preliminary report of the European Union's Scientific
Conference on Growth Promotants has determined that there is no evidence of
human health risk associated with the use of the growth hormones approved for
use in the United States.  I understand that a final report on the conference
will be prepared within the next few weeks, and am confident that it will
verify that conclusion.

"Based on the positive scientific results of the conference, I believe a basis
now exists for the EU to lift its ban on imports of our beef.  To that end, we
will be meeting with EU officials in the near future to discuss the steps they
plan to take to resolve this trade problem.  I am concerned, however, that
some European officials continue to argue for a continuation of the import ban
on non-scientific grounds.  While a challenge of the ban in the World Trade
Organization has always been a logical and appropriate option available to the
U.S. and other exporting countries, I believe a satisfactory bilateral
arrangement should now be possible that would enable U.S. meat exports to the
EU to resume in the near future."

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