South Africa Media Roundtable
                                              Release No. 0042.97
Remarks
                              of 
                     Secretary Dan Glickman
                 South Africa Media Roundtable
              Whitten Building--February 10, 1997

     Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming. I just wanted to talk to you
briefly before I left for South Africa on Wednesday. I'll, of course, be
joining Vice President Gore's delegation to the U.S.-South Africa Binational
Commission Plenary Session.

     As many of you know, I spent much of last week in the Gore-Chernomyrdin
meetings. The goal of all 4 of these binational commissions is to assist
emerging democracies. It's our job as the world's strongest democracy. It's
also good politics and good business. Time and time again, we've seen freer
people and freer markets march hand in hand toward greater stability and
prosperity -- creating opportunities for those who help them along the way.

     Vice President Gore will be talking more about the big picture while
he's in South Africa. I just wanted to speak briefly to what this means for
agriculture.

     With me today are a number of USDA folks who are going with me: Dallas
Smith, Shirley Watkins, Dr. Bob Robinson, Wilber Peer, Larry Clark and Frankie
King ... others have already gone on ahead.

     Our team brings to the table expertise in market access, institutional
and human resources, technology and sustainability ... everything we need to
expand opportunities for our producers and help build a strong new South
Africa.

     This will be my first trip to South Africa, and I'm looking forward to
it for many reasons. This is a country that was once closed off to the world,
not to mention most of its own citizens. Now, with all the reforms underway,
the United States has an historic opportunity to help a young democracy become
a driving force for economic growth, political stability and food security
throughout Africa.

     So South Africa's success is important on a number of levels. It makes
them a stronger democracy, a stronger economy ... and better customers.

     Since the 1994 democratic elections, U.S. exports to South Africa are up
70% -- much of the increase in value-added intermediate products. Our imports
from South Africa are also up 30%. Last year, the United States exported $330
million in agricultural, fish and forestry products to South Africa. South
Africa, in turn, exported $121 million to us. And this is still the beginnning
of the story. The stronger South Africa becomes, the stronger our trade will
be.

     In my meeting with my counterpart, Mr. Hanekom, I'll raise some issues:

     For one, the U.S. doesn't want to see poultry tariffs increased. It
     would be unfair to our producers and to South African consumers who
     demonstrate a high demand for safe, affordable, high-protein meats. So
     far the South African government has resisted proposals to increase
     tariffs. I'll urge them to stand firm.

     We're also concerned about the freezing requirements on pork imports. No
     other country has such a requirement. The science isn't there to support
     it. The South Africans are doing the right thing. They're reviewing the
     science on its merits. I'm hopeful they'll reach the same conclusion as
     everyone else.

     We'd also like to see South Africa reconsider its decision not to accept
     wheat from our quarantine areas -- even though it's twice tested
     negative for karnal bunt. Last summer, South African inspectors visited
     the Southwest and saw our inspectors in action. We take the integrity of
     our system very seriously. I'll urge South Africa to reconsider that
     wheat.

     None of these are hard-edged issues. They're all progressing in good
faith. I'll mainly be reinforcing our position and the importance of a timely,
fair resolution.

     We'd also like to build on the accomplishments of this committee. We've
been in existence for just over a year, and in that time:

     Trade barriers have fallen from U.S. poultry to South African citrus.
     South African scientists are in America as research fellows, earning
     advanced degrees, so they can return home and assume government
     agriculture posts.
     We have a number of joint conservation efforts underway.
     Trade forums have created million of dollars of new opportunities in
     both our countries. We'd like to expand into trade missions.
     And, 300,000 books have been donated by the U.S. to rural South African
     schools and libraries.

     There's more we'd like to do: 

     Before this committee was established, USDA lent expertise to South
     Africa in developing its national school feeding program. We'd like to
     resume that role and continue assisting South Africa's fight against
     child hunger and malnutrition.
     We'd also like to share risk assessment techniques, so we can more
     quickly work through sanitary/phytosanitary issues.
     We want daily price reports on fresh U.S. fruits and vegetables sold at
     South African markets.
     We're helping set up a rural village banking system.
     And we're working to share real-time weather data, so our farmers have a
     better idea what's headed their way.

     So we're going into this with our hand extended, offering our assistance
and hoping to build an even stronger relationship in the future. It's
important to U.S. agriculture, to South Africa, and to the world's economy and
food security.

     I'd be glad to take your questions.

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