    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [August 3, 1996]
    [Page 1252]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996
    August 3, 1996

        Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 1627, the ``Food Quality
    Protection Act of 1996,'' which brings much needed reform to laws
    governing pesticides and food safety.
        Americans have every right to expect that the world's most bountiful
    food supply will also be the world's safest. Early in my Administration
    I set out to strengthen our pesticide and food safety laws. This Act
    achieves that goal with commonsense regulatory reform based on the best
    available science.
        The Act will replace conflicting and outdated pesticide residue
    standards with a single, rigorous health-based standard for all food.
    All pesticides will be required to meet the new standard. Incentives are
    also provided for swift approval of safe, new pesticide alternatives for
    farmers.
        Most importantly, H.R. 1627 contains special new provisions to
    protect America's infants and children from pesticide risks. These
    protections will guarantee that every family in America has the safest
    food possible on their dinner table.
        This Act demonstrates how the Congress and the Administration can
    work together to help both farmers and consumers, and I am pleased to
    sign it into law.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    August 3, 1996.

    Note: H.R. 1627, approved August 3, was assigned Public Law No. 104-170.