USDA Signs New Food Donation Agreement with World Food Program
                                                               
                                                               
                                            Release No. 0182.99
                                                               
                                                               
                                    Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623
                                          tom.amontree@usda.gov
                                Lynn Goldsbrough (202) 720-3930
                                       goldsbrough@fas.usda.gov
                                                               
                                                               
USDA SIGNS NEW FOOD DONATION AGREEMENT WITH WORLD FOOD PROGRAM

     WASHINGTON, April 28, 1999 Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
signed a new agreement to provide for continued donations of agricultural
commodities to the World Food Program (WFP) under USDA food aid programs.  The
WFP is the food aid agency of the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture
Organization.

     "This agreement paves the way for further USDA food donations to needy
people around the world, including Kosovo refugees, and famine victims in
North Korea," Glickman said.  "The United States is the world's largest donor
to the World Food Program, with USDA expecting to supply around 1 million
metric tons of wheat through the WFP this year."

     The agreement to donate surplus U.S. commodities under USDA's Section
416(b) program was signed for the WFP by its Executive Director Catherine
Bertini.  The new agreement replaces a previous agreement with the WFP that
was signed last year.  In addition to several technical changes, it authorizes
continuing USDA donations to the WFP.  The commodities to be donated,
quantities, and recipient countries will be announced later.  

     The WFP conducts emergency food aid, longer term relief, and development
programs in more than 80 countries.  The United States provides food to the
WFP under both Section 416(b) and P.L. 480, Title II.  USDA's Foreign
Agricultural Service administers the Section 416(b) donation program.  The
P.L. 480, Title II, program is managed by the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID). 

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