USDA LIFTS KARNAL BUNT RESTRICTIONS IN SOUTHEAST
                                             Release No 0084.97
                                                               
                                 Bethany Jones   (301) 734-7280
                                          bjones@aphis.usda.gov
                                 Jerry Redding   (202) 720-6959
                                              jredding@usda.gov

USDA LIFTS KARNAL BUNT RESTRICTIONS IN SOUTHEAST 

     WASHINGTON, March 17, 1997--The U.S. Department of Agriculture today
announced it is lifting all Karnal bunt emergency action notifications
currently in place in the Southeast.

     "We've extensively studied the situation in the Southeast and have
concluded that Karnal bunt is not present there," said Terry Medley,
administrator of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

     USDA is basing its decision regarding Karnal bunt on the fact that
bunted wheat kernels have not been found in any samples, whereas
contamination with bunted ryegrass kernels was common.  Researchers have
shown that spores from ryegrass do not infect wheat.

     Some wheat samples collected during the national Karnal bunt survey
contained spores similar in size and shape to those of the agent that causes
Karnal bunt.  Such spores were recovered in samples from Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, and Tennessee.  Wheat seed contaminated with these spores also was
planted in South Carolina.

     "At this time we are no longer considering taking further regulatory
action in the Southeast," said Michael V. Dunn, assistant secretary for
marketing and regulatory programs.

     In the near future, USDA will publish a standard for determining the
presence of Karnal bunt that will apply to all parts of the country.

     "Establishing this standard will ensure that all U.S. wheat producers
and handlers are treated equitably with regard to Karnal bunt and that U.S.
wheat has necessary certification to remain competitive in global markets,"
said Dunn.

     "These actions are consistent with USDA's objective to protect the
U.S. wheat industry while limiting restrictions to areas where Karnal bunt
disease occurs," said Dunn.   

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