Status of U.S./European Union Veterinary Equivalency Talks

                                              Release No. 0097.97

Statement
                              by 
               Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
 on Status of U.S./European Union Veterinary Equivalency Talks
                         April 1, 1997
                                

     "Negotiations with the European Union (EU) on a veterinary equivalence
arrangement ended today without agreement.  These bilateral discussions have
been going on for close to three years.  During this period of time, the
U.S. has unilaterally extended recognition to EU products.

     "Because the EU has imposed an April 1 deadline for foreign country
compliance with EU requirements, U.S. exports of certain products will be
adversely affected.  In addition, any opportunity to expand U.S. red meat
exports to take advantage of market access commitments made by the EU in the
Uruguay Round, has, for the time being, been lost.  Under these
circumstances, as previously announced, the United States, as of April 1,
will begin to implement a system that will require EU meat exports to comply
with U.S. inspection requirements. This may have an adverse affect on EU
meat exports to this market.  EU exports to the United States exceed $300
million annually. 

     "It is unfortunate that, despite this intensive effort, we were unable
to finalize an agreement that would have permitted mutual recognition of our
respective inspection systems as "equivalent" for red meat, poultry, eggs,
dairy products, fish and certain other products.  We intend to continue to
work to reach an acceptable agreement in the coming months and to minimize
trade disruptions to the extent possible."

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