Release No. 0195.00 
                                                               
                                                               
                                    Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
                                          susan.mcavoy@usda.gov
                              Eric Van Chantfort (202) 720-9443
                                      vanchantfort@fas.usda.gov


USDA TO DONATE 50,000 TONS OF WHEAT TO NORTH KOREA

     WASHINGTON, D.C., June 15, 2000--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will donate 50,000
metric tons of wheat to the World Food Program's emergency feeding operations
in North Korea.

     "Given the severe food shortages that continue in North Korea, the
United States is responding to the World Food Program's latest appeal for
emergency humanitarian assistance," Glickman said.  "The surplus U.S. wheat
will be used to help feed tens of thousands of undernourished children, new
mothers, and other people in need."

     This donation, valued at an estimated $12.8 million, will be provided
under USDA's Section 416(b) program.  Noodles and other food products made
from the donated wheat will be distributed to children, pregnant and lactating
mothers, hospital patients, and other vulnerable groups. 

     Earlier this year, USDA donated 10,000 metric tons of wheat for
distribution in North Korea.  Under fiscal 1999 food aid programs, USDA
provided more than 550,000 metric tons of wheat, flour, corn, and nonfat dry
milk as part of U.S. food assistance to support World Food Program feeding
operations in North Korea.  

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