M/A Glickman to Brief Press on National Tour to Highlight Invasive Pests and
Diseases
                                                               
                                           Release No.  0084.00
                                                               
Media Advisory
Not for publication
For planning purposes only
                              
                                    Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623


GLICKMAN TO BRIEF PRESS ON NATIONAL TOUR TO HIGHLIGHT INVASIVE PESTS AND
DISEASES

     WASHINGTON, March 16, 2000 -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman will
brief the press on Friday about his upcoming, four-stop, national tour to
highlight the threat posed to American agriculture by invasive pests and
diseases.  

     The pre-trip briefing will be held on Friday, March 17, 2000 at 11:30
a.m. in the Secretary's conference room at USDA.  Reporters who are unable to
attend the briefing may listen in by calling (202) 720-8436.  


                    WHO:      Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
               
                    WHAT:     Press briefing on invasive pests and diseases tour

                    WHERE:    U.S. Department of Agriculture
               Secretary's Conference Room, Room 200-A
               1400 Independence Avenue, SW
               Washington, DC
                                                            
                    WHEN:     Friday, March 17, 2000
               11:30 a.m. EST
          
                    NOTE:     This event is open to credentialed members of the press
               only.  Photo 
               identification is required. 


     American cities, farms, and forests are under attack by voracious, non-
native bugs, plants and diseases.  Ecosystems are being altered and destroyed,
crops damaged, forests denuded and animals and even people are in danger of
contracting fatal diseases.  The economic impact -- including destroyed trees
and crops, as well as eradication and research efforts -- reaches into the
hundreds of billions of dollars.  Here are a few examples   

          Asian Long-horned beetles have destroyed 5,600 trees in New York and
     Chicago.
 
          The West Nile virus has already killed 13 horses and 7 people and the
     virus may reappear this spring.  

          Imported diseases and pests are destroying peach and plum groves in
     Pennsylvania, citrus groves in Florida, and vineyards, fruit groves and
     nut trees in California.  

     Secretary Glickman's tour, scheduled for March 21-24, will include stops
in New York, Miami, San Diego, and Long Beach, where he will view damage
caused by invasive pests and diseases, assess prevention efforts, educate
Americans about the problem, and consider additional steps the United States
could take.  

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