    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [August 3, 1996]
    [Pages 1249-1250]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    August 3, 1996

        Good morning. Today I'm pleased to announce a major step for
    protecting the health and safety of all Americans, especially our
    children. In a few moments I'll sign into law legislation that will
    revolutionize the way we protect our food from harmful pesticides. This
    is a positive and hopeful time, an age of enormous possibility for our
    people, a chance for us to build a country and a world that is stronger
    and safer and more full of opportunity than any that has existed before.
        The way we will master this moment of change is the way we always
    have, by meeting our challenges and holding fast to our enduring values.
    Central among these is the belief that American families are owed some
    basic security. They should know that the food they eat and the water
    they drink will not make them sick.
        From the day I took office I've worked hard to meet this fundamental
    promise. We strengthened and expanded the community right-to-know law,
    which requires industries to tell our citizens exactly what substances
    are being released into the world around us. Last year we put in place
    strong new protections to ensure that the seafood we eat is safe, and
    last month I announced steps to revamp our meat and poultry inspection
    system for the first time in 90 years.
        Today we add the cornerstone to the solid foundation we've built for
    America's families, the Food Quality Protection Act. Three years ago I
    proposed reforms to overhaul and strengthen the way we regulate
    pesticides. This landmark legislation meets the goals I set forth then.
    I like to think of it as the ``peace of mind'' act, because it will give
    parents the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the fruits,
    vegetables, and grains they set down in front of their children are
    safe.
        This legislation is long overdue. The old safeguards that protected
    our foods from pesticides were written with the best intentions, but
    they're simply no longer up to the job. Bad pesticides have stayed on
    the market too long; good alternatives have been kept out. There are
    strong protections against cancer but not against other health dangers.
    There is no uniform standard for what is safe.
        Those weaknesses in the present law put us all at risk but
    especially our children. According to the National Academy of Sciences,
    infants

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    and young people are particularly vulnerable to pesticides; chemicals
    can go a long way in a small body. The Food Quality Protection Act puts
    the safety of our children first. First, it sets clear, consistent
    standards for all pesticide use on all foods for all health risks. It
    also sets that standard high. If a pesticide poses a danger to our
    children, then it won't be in our food, period.
        Second, the act will reform the regulatory process for pesticides.
    New, safer substitutes will be approved faster. The sooner they get on
    the market, the sooner farmers will be able to use them to replace older
    pesticides that may pose greater health risks. All pesticides will be
    reviewed regularly using the best science available.
        Third, this legislation will see to it that consumers get the facts
    they need. Supermarkets will be required to provide health information
    to shoppers about the pesticides used on the food they're buying. A
    family should be able to gather for a summer dinner knowing that the
    fruits and vegetables before them will provide nothing more than
    nourishment and joy. Americans have enough on their minds without having
    to worry about whether or not the food they eat will put them in harm's
    way. With this legislation, Americans will continue to have the security
    of knowing that the world's most bountiful food supply is also its
    safest.
        Just as important as what this law does is how it came into being.
    The Food Quality Protection Act comes to my desk with the support of
    farmers and environmentalists, consumer groups and agriculture groups,
    and the medical industry. After more than a decade of work, these
    diverse groups have come together to say with this bill, we do not have
    to choose between a strong economy and a safe environment. We can have
    both.
        This bill also comes to the White House with the unanimous backing
    of all Republicans and all Democrats in Congress. What a difference a
    year makes. Last August we were fighting off a concerted effort to roll
    back our most basic safeguards for clean air, clean water, and clean
    food. Our traditional bipartisan commitment to protecting the public
    health and our environment was at risk. Today, on this issue, I'm proud
    to say that we again stand on common ground.
        That is how we must meet all the challenges of our time, not by
    drifting apart but by coming together. In the last week, members of both
    parties have joined in common cause to do what's best for America, to
    end welfare as we know it, to raise the minimum wage and aid small
    businesses, to pass health care reform, and to safeguard our food. Last
    night Congress passed strong legislation to help keep our drinking water
    safe. This is truly a season of progress because we're turning away from
    extremism and coming together around our basic values of opportunity,
    responsibility, and community. If we keep it up, we surely will make
    this an age of possibility for all Americans.
        Thank for listening.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from the Oval Office at the
    White House.