CLINTON ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES JAPAN TO OPEN MARKET TO U.S. TOMATOES 

                                            Release No. 0138.97
                                                               
                                 Bethany Jones   (301) 734-7280
                                          bjones@aphis.usda.gov
                                 Jim Petterson   (202) 720-6959
                                            jpetterson@usda.gov


CLINTON ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES JAPAN TO OPEN MARKET TO U.S. TOMATOES 

     WASHINGTON, April 25, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced that Japan has lifted its ban and will allow the importation of 25
varieties of U.S. tomatoes, a move industry predicts will be worth $50
million.

     "This action is another example of how the Clinton Administration is
aggressively working to open markets and expand trade for U.S. agriculture,"
said Glickman.  "This is evidence that science-based decision-making will
benefit U.S. producers and lead to freer and fairer trade."

     "After several years of negotiating, we were able to sufficiently
prove to Japan's Farm Ministry that our tomatoes are free of tobacco blue
mold and are no threat to their agriculture," said Michael V. Dunn,
assistant secretary of marketing and regulatory programs.

     Tobacco blue mold is a serious disease of tobacco plants.  The disease
exists in the United States, but APHIS officials have shown that tomatoes
are not affected. 

     "It's another example of how science-based decision making can benefit
American producers," said Terry L. Medley, administrator of  the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of USDA's marketing and regulatory
programs mission area.

     "This announcement demonstrates that access to the Japanese tomato
market has been a top priority.  U.S. tomato farmers and the Japanese food
service industry will benefit," said August Schumacher, Jr., administrator
of USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service.

     The United States can begin exporting tomato varieties, such as Shady
Lady and Solar Set, immediately.  Because Florida's tomato season is about
to end, California producers will be among the first to export this
commodity. 

                               #