ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
					Release No. 0078.97                                                  

                                   Larry Mark       (202) 720-3977
                                                 lmark@usda.gov
                                   Jerry Redding (202) 720-6959
                                              jredding@usda.gov


GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE CONSOLIDATION

     RALEIGH, N.C., March 10, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced  that USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will
consolidate its 13 field offices into two regional hubs, one in Raleigh, N.C.,
and the other in Ft. Collins, Colo.  Specific sites will be selected in the near
future and moves will take place within a two-to-four year time frame.  About 150
employees will be relocated to the Raleigh hub and about 160 employees will be
relocated to the Ft. Collins hub.
     
     "This consolidation is consistent with Vice President Gore's National
Performance Review and our USDA reinvention initiative for a government that
works better and costs less," Glickman said.

     As part of the evaluation process, USDA paid particular attention to the
fact that APHIS currently has science and technical centers located in Raleigh
and Ft. Collins.  The university communities found in both cities will offer
APHIS employees substantial training opportunities and contribute to the
diversity of the workforce.

     APHIS also considered cost, accessibility, and the impact of the move on
APHIS' future goals.  Employees who would be affected by the consolidation were
surveyed for their personal assessment of the quality of life at each proposed
site.  To minimize any impacts on employees APHIS will have relocation services,
outplacement services, and counseling available.  APHIS is committed to ensuring
that employees experience a smooth transition to the new hubs.

     "Providing multiple services at one location means better customer
service," Glickman added. "Co-locating regional hubs with APHIS science and
technical centers will also permit greater sharing of resources and make science
and research more relevant to operational and program needs."

     These changes to the regional field structure will further strengthen
APHIS' position as a cohesive agricultural agency committed to its mission,
constituents, stakeholders, and employees.

     APHIS is the USDA agency charged with anticipating and responding to issues
involving animal and plant health, conflicts with wildlife, environmental
stewardship and animal well-being.  Together with customers and stakeholders,
APHIS promotes the health of animal and plant resources to facilitate their
movement in the global marketplace and to ensure abundant agricultural products
and services for U.S. customers.

     The 13 regional offices to be consolidated are located in Arlington, Ft.
Worth, and Brownsville, Texas; Albany, N.Y.; Englewood and Lakewood, Colo.;
Sacramento, Calif.; Tampa, Fla.; Annapolis, Md.; Brentwood, Tenn.; Gulfport,
Miss.; and Moorestown, N.J.

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