GLICKMAN TO ANNOUNCE NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM PROPOSED RULE
                                             Release No. 0438.97 

Media Advisory

                                   Johna Pierce  (202) 720-4623
                                          johna.pierce@usda.gov
                                   Demaris Kogut (202) 720-8998
                                       Demaris_W_Kogut@usda.gov



GLICKMAN TO ANNOUNCE NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM PROPOSED RULE

     Washington, Dec. 12, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman will
announce the USDA's National Organic Program proposed rule on Monday, December
15, the day before the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register.

     The proposed rule addresses federal requirements for producing,
handling, and labeling  organic agricultural products.  It also provides
requirements for certification of organic production operations; accreditation
of state and private certifying agents; compliance testing; equivalency of
foreign organic certification programs; approval of state organic programs;
and user fees.

     WHO:      Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman

     WHAT:    News conference to announce National Organic Program proposed
rule

     WHEN:    Monday, December 15 at 10 a.m. 

     WHERE:  USDA's Jamie L. Whitten Building
                       14th and Independence Avenue, SW
                       Room 107-A

                               #
                                
An electronic version of this news release can be obtained via the World Wide
                           Web at:  
            http://www.ams.usda.gov/news/newsrel.htm

                                 

NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet.
Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov