*** CLARIFICATION ***                                                                                    Kevin Herglotz (202) 720-4623

Release No. 0044A.01                                                                                               Kimberley Smith (301)734-6464

USDA ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO GUARD AGAINST FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2001--The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced it is temporarily prohibiting the importation of swine and ruminant, and any fresh swine or ruminant meat (chilled or frozen) and other products of swine and ruminants from the European Union. This does not include cooked pork products.

This temporary action is being taken following confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease in France. On February 21, USDA announced similar actions regarding the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. These measures are part of a coordinated prevention program to ensure the disease does not spread into the United States.

In recent weeks, USDA has stepped up measures to guard against foot-and-mouth disease. These actions include:

· Temporarily prohibiting the importation of swine and ruminant, and any fresh swine or ruminant meat (chilled or frozen) and other products of swine and ruminants from the European Union. These restrictions augment those already in place on ruminants and ruminant products to prevent the introduction of BSE into the U.S.;

· Prohibiting travelers from carrying into the United States any agricultural products, particularly animal products, that could spread the disease. Passengers are required to identify any farm contact to Customs and USDA officials. All baggage is subject to inspection. Violations could result in penalties of up to $1,000;

· Sending a team of experts (40 federal, state and University officials) to the European Union to monitor, evaluate and assist in containment efforts;

· Heightened alert at ports of entry and airports to ensure passengers, luggage and cargo are checked as appropriate. This includes placing additional inspectors and dog teams at airports to check incoming flights and passengers;

· Heightened alert and coordination with state agriculture officials and other USDA officials stationed around the globe to monitor the situation; and

· Public education campaign that includes additional signage in airports, public service announcements, information hotline, website, and other tools to inform the public about this important issue and steps they can take to prevent it from entering the United States.

FMD is a highly contagious and economically devastating disease of ruminants and swine. The United States has been free of FMD since 1929. FMD is one of the animal diseases that livestock owners dread most because it spreads widely and rapidly and because it has grave economic consequences. Humans are not susceptible to the disease.

Current information on foot-and-mouth disease and traveler questions and answers are available on the Internet at http://www.usda.gov/