[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[August 7, 1992]
[Page 1325]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the Pacific Yew Act
August 7, 1992

    Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 3836, the ``Pacific Yew 
Act.'' This Act ensures that Federal lands will be managed to provide 
for the sustainable harvest and long-term conservation of the Pacific 
yew. The bark of this tree is currently the only reliable source of 
taxol--an experimental drug used to treat cancer. By signing this bill 
into law today, we ensure that Pacific yew bark is made available to 
companies to produce a drug that has the potential to benefit thousands 
of patients.
    It is very important that the collection of Pacific yew bark proceed 
with as little delay as possible, because taxol has shown very promising 
results in combating ovarian and breast cancer. In fact, the National 
Cancer Institute considers it to be the most important new cancer 
treatment drug discovered in the past decade. The Administration 
realizes the importance of taxol and is working to make sure that 
Pacific yew bark is available for taxol production.
    The potential value of taxol for treating ovarian and other cancers 
was not known until 1989. By September 1991, 900,000 pounds of Pacific 
yew bark were collected on Federal lands. This quantity of bark will 
yield enough taxol to treat more than 12,000 patients, or about the same 
number of women who die from ovarian cancer each year.
    As the demand for Pacific yew bark increases, we realize that we 
have to ensure a continuing supply of Pacific yew, while not threatening 
the resource's long-term existence. The Administration has already 
initiated a comprehensive Pacific yew management program involving the 
Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, other Federal agencies, 
local governments, and the private sector.
    Our efforts have provided an opportunity for the Federal Government 
and private industry to work cooperatively for the public good. 
Additionally, our efforts to collect bark from the Pacific yew have 
brought in millions of dollars to local economies and provided numerous 
jobs in these local economies.
    The Federal Government is already meeting many objectives of H.R. 
3836. This Administration is committed to ensuring a continuous supply 
of yew bark to help cancer patients, while sustaining the Pacific yew 
for future generations. H.R. 3836 will help us do even more to meet this 
commitment.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
August 7, 1992.

                    Note: H.R. 3836, approved August 7, was assigned 
                        Public Law No. 102-335.