GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES U.S. WHEAT EXPORTS TO BRAZIL BACK ON TRACK

                                           Release No. 0184.98 

                                                
                                    Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623
                                             tamontree@usda.gov
                                        Marlene Philipps (202) 720-2061
                                             PhillipsMS@fas.usda.gov


GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES U.S. WHEAT EXPORTS TO BRAZIL BACK ON TRACK

     WASHINGTON, April 22, 1998--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced
that the United States and Brazil have signed an agreement that immediately
lifts the ban on U.S. wheat exports to Brazil. 
     
     "The waiver agreement opens the Brazilian wheat market for U.S. wheat
producers for the first time since September 1996 when the Brazilian
government imposed a ban on U.S. wheat due to TCK concerns," said Glickman. 
"This effectively shut down all U.S. wheat exports to Brazil, which had
averaged $56 million a year.  Our research convinced the Brazilian government
to open its market to U.S. wheat exporters.  This action demonstrates how
nations can work together using sound science as a basis to resolve their
phytosanitary trade differences." 
     
     According to Glickman, last November, USDA scientists presented a risk
assessment study at an international symposium in Passo Fundo, Brazil, which
demonstrated that Tilletia controversa kuhn does not present a risk to Brazil. 
The study revealed that certain climatic conditions are needed for the wheat
fungus to grow, and these conditions do not exist in Brazil.
     
     USDA provided the study to COSAVE, the regional plant protection
organization, for the South American countries of Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
Paraguay and Uruguay.  COSAVE  recommended the removal of TCK from its
quarantine pest list for wheat for human consumption.  Brazil has accepted
COSAVE's recommendation and agreed that it will no longer consider TCK as a
quarantine disease for U.S. wheat exports to Brazil.  The agreement provides a
waiver that will remain in effect until permanent changes are made in
Brazilian regulations regarding the wheat fungus.  
     
     "Exports are very important to the U.S. wheat industry," said Glickman.
"More than half of all the wheat produced in the United States goes into the
export market to supply customers in more than 150 countries around the world. 
Clearly, our wheat producers depend on international trade.  Resolution of
this issue has been a collaborative effort between USDA and the wheat
industry, and is a part of our ongoing work to expand export opportunities for
American wheat growers."
                                
 
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