SECRETARY ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF CANOLA INSURANCE PROGRAM


Release No. 0451.97                                       
                                                               
                                   Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623
                                         laura.trivers@usda.gov
                                  Eric Edgington (202) 690-2539
                                    eedgington@wdc.fsa.usda.gov
                                                               


SECRETARY ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF CANOLA INSURANCE PROGRAM

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said
today that the crop insurance program for canola has been expanded. 

     "Our goal is to convert crops covered by the Non-Insured Assistance
Program (NAP) into insurance programs as soon as sufficient actuarial
information becomes available," said Glickman.  "Under the NAP, producers
receive assistance only if there is an area loss.  Higher levels of
protection are available under insurance plans, and individual losses
qualify for payment.  Insurance provides better protection, which will
enable producers to better manage their risk."   

     The canola pilot insurance program was initiated in selected counties
of Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Washington in 1995. 
Selected fall seeded counties in Oregon, Idaho and Georgia were added in
1997.  Participation has varied from 60 to 77 percent of the insurable
acreage.  

     Beginning this spring, canola insurance will be available in the
following states and counties:

     Minnesota           Beltrami, Clearwater, Koochiching, Lake of the
                         Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington,
                         East Polk, West Polk, Red Lake

     Montana             Chouteau, Fergus, Liberty, Pondera, Teton,
                         Toole

     North Dakota        Benson, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, McHenry,
                         Nelson, Pembina, Renville, Stutsman, Walsh,
                         Ward, Wells

     The announcement follows publication in the Federal Register of a
regulation converting the canola pilot program into a permanent program.

                                #