Statement by ACTING ADMINISTRATOR MARK MINA USDA'S FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION
SERVICE June 3, 1999
                                
                                
                                             Release No. 001.99
                                
                                
                           Contact: Andy Solomon (202) 720-4623
                                   Linda Swacina (202) 720-9113
                                
                                
                                                               

Statement
                               by
                                
                ACTING ADMINISTRATOR  MARK MINA
           USDA'S FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
                                
                          June 3, 1999
                                
                                
"Effective today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and
Inspection Service is holding all imports from the European Union of chicken
and pork and products that contain chicken or pork.  We are also reviewing
product imported since January to determine what, if any, additional action
may be necessary.  We are acting today in response to information we received
            yesterday from the Belgian government.  
                                
"These are precautionary steps.  Americans enjoy the safest food supply in the
        world and we are committed to protecting it."  
                                
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