Release No. 0254.96

                                     Steve Teasley (202) 720-8319
                                      Maria Bynum  (202) 720-5192

WOTEKI TESTIFIES ON IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

     WASHINGTON, May 15, 1996--U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under
Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Catherine E. Woteki
stressed the increased importance of federal agricultural research in
testimony May 14 before the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Resource Conservation, Research, and Forestry.

     The hearing was the second in a series the subcommittee is conducting on
the re-authorization of USDA's Research Title beyond FY 97. The 1996 Farm Bill
only reauthorized the Research Title for two years, during which Congress
intends to conduct an extensive review of research policy.

     "By strengthening our commitment to agricultural research, extension,
and education, we can ensure that we will continue to enjoy a competitive farm
sector, a strong rural economy, abundant natural resources, and a healthy,
well-nourished population," Woteki testified.

     "Because benefits from agricultural research are diffused broadly," she
said, "the private sector lacks the incentive to adequately invest in it.
Agricultural research and education continue to demand active participation of
the federal government."

     "Agricultural research continues to be a solid public investment.  USDA
economists have found that publicly funded agricultural research has earned an
annual rate of return of at least 35 percent.  Moreover, these benefits are
broadly shared by farmers, consumers, and agribusinesses.  This high rate of
return suggests that a further allocation of funds to agricultural research
would be generally beneficial to the U.S. economy," she said.

     Research, Education, and Economics Administrator for the Agricultural
Research Service Floyd P. Horn and the Administrator for Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service B. H. Robinson also testified.

     Horn called his agency's research portfolio "broad and complex" and
praised its leadership in "the critical problems we investigate.  More
importantly, our accomplishments and solutions are achieved for a very small
investment--just one percent of the total U.S. investment in research and
development."

     Robinson said Congress should consider in its Research Title
deliberations "the continuing change in agriculture and raised expectations
from the public for what we accomplish and how we use limited federal
resources."

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