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Clinton Presidential Library
1200 President Clinton Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72201
Inventory for FOIA Request 2013-0836-F
Records on Agricultural Biotechnology
Extent
145 folders, approximately 8,645 pages
Access
Collection is open to all researchers. Access to Clinton Presidential Records is governed by the
Presidential Records Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. Chapter 22, as amended) and the Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended) and therefore records may be restricted in whole or in part in
accordance with legal exemptions.
Copyright
Documents in this collection that were prepared by officials of the United States government as part of
their official duties are in the public domain. Researchers are advised to consult the copyright law of the
United States (17 U.S.C. Chapter 1) which governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of
copyrighted material.
Provenance
Official records of William Jefferson Clinton’s presidency are housed at the Clinton Presidential Library
and administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) under the provisions of
the Presidential Records Act (PRA).
Processed by
Staff Archivist, 2015. Previously restricted materials are added as they are released.
Scope and Content
The materials in FOIA 2013-0836-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the
FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials.
FOIA 2013-0836-F contains records regarding the Clinton Administration’s policies regarding
agricultural biotechnology, specifically concerning the creation and use of Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs). The discoveries regarding the structure and properties of DNA in the 1940s and
1950s laid the foundation for the transfer of genes from one organism to another in the second half of
the twentieth century. In the 1980s, the first field tests of an antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant occurred.
By the mid-1990s, the FDA had given marketing approval to GMO varieties of canola, corn, cotton,
potatoes, soybeans, squash, and potatoes.
Proponents of agricultural biotechnology argued that genetic modification was the answer to producing
food for a growing population. Some of the plants, such as corn containing the bacillus thuringiensis
gene, produced natural insecticides. This prevented the loss of crops to pests, as well as eliminated the
exposure of agricultural workers to chemical pesticides. Many felt that genetic modification was in the
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�same category as the cross breeding that human farmers have engaged in for millennia. Indeed, the
FDA’s held the official position that, as long as the new genetic material did not change the principal
structure of the plant, there was no need for mandatory labeling or approval.
Opponents argued that the creation of GMOs held unknown consequences for environmental and human
health. There were concerns that GMO plants produced proteins that were potentially allergenic to
humans. Others worried that these plants would interbreed uncontrollably with unmodified plants. In
the late 1990s, Cornell University researchers conducted a study that seemed to indicate that pollen from
genetically-modified corn was fatal to monarch butterflies. For many, the fears were confirmed in 2000
when Starlink corn, a genetically modified species not approved for human consumption, was found in
Taco Bell brand taco shells.
European Union (EU) Counsel Directive 90/220 required the approval of all GMO plants intended for
release in member countries. Though it approved genetically modified corn in 1998, EU resistance to
American GMOs remained a trade issue throughout the Clinton Administration. From 1998 until 2004,
there was an unofficial ban on the import of any GMO crops intended for cultivation. Public opinion in
the EU was decidedly against GMOs, and many European supermarkets refused to carry products
containing them. In 1997, the EU ruled in favor of requiring mandatory labeling of all GMO products.
The Clinton Administration, though it did consider labeling proposals, opposed mandatory labels on the
grounds that science did indicate a need for labeling and that requiring companies to do so would
infringe on free speech. On January 18, 2001, the FDA published a proposed rule that would require
biotechnology companies to submit premarket information on bioengineered foods.
Responsive material in the White House Office of Records Management (WHORM)-Subject File
involves correspondence between members of Congress and President Clinton. Senators and
Representatives wrote to the Chief Executive urging that biotechnology and agricultural trade be
emphasized in meetings with members of the European Union (EU). They especially wanted faster
approval given to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) so that American farmers would reap
increased financial benefits.
In the case of Monsanto Corporation there are biographical sketches, talking points, and memoranda
concerning a meeting between Clinton and CEO’s Robert Shapiro and Steven L. Engelberg.
Specifically, the two men wanted pressure put on Romano Prodi, President-designate of the European
Commission, to allow their genetically modified soybeans into EU markets. Monsanto stood as the
world’s leading supplier of that product. However, no GMOs had been permitted to enter Europe in
over a year.
White House Staff and Office files include press materials, reports, Congressional testimony, and
correspondence on agricultural biotechnology as it relates to both domestic and international matters. In
the National Economic Council (NEC), the files of Lael Brainard address most of the domestic matters.
Materials concerning the international trade issues are located in the National Security Council’s (NSC)
records. These include the files of Hoyt Lee in the European Affairs Directorate, Ian Bowles in Global
Environmental Affairs, as well as John Duncan, Holly Hammonds, Lori Hendrick, Richard Holtzapple,
and Richard Samans in International Economic Affairs. NSC Records Management documents consist
of domestic and foreign correspondence on trade issues related to GMOs. In addition, the White House
Staff and Office files include newspaper articles, agendas, memoranda, papers, drafts, speeches, cables,
handwritten notes, reference articles, correspondence, and publications focusing on the topics of GMOs,
labeling, food safety, biotechnology, and bioengineering. The papers of Chief of Staff Karen
Tramontano address the steps agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and
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�Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) took in the case of GMOs. They thought special
care should be paid to making the stance of the U.S. on the issue well known both at home and abroad.
Enlisting the help of the United States Information Agency (USIA), these organizations developed a
public diplomacy program that included a website and Worldnet broadcasts to spread the word in
foreign countries.
In the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), the files of Michael LeBlanc deal in large measure with
the reaction of various agencies to the problem of the labeling of agricultural goods produced through
biotechnology. A significant memo pertains to the subject of biotech labeling, the food labeling
guidelines of Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea are subjected to critical comments by experts
from the U.S. government, and a newspaper article is headlined “US-EU Continue Dispute Over Textile
Origin, Labels.” One matter discussed at length—voluntary vs. mandatory labeling.
Furthermore, in the papers of Michael LeBlanc the so -called “Frankenstein foods”—gets a considerable
amount of attention. Generally covered in articles from magazines or newspapers, this term refers to
headlines that appeared in European periodicals opposed to GMOs. Opposition was especially virulent
in Britain. According to The Economist, “. . . the hoohah in Britain obscures the fact that there is simply
no evidence that the technology used to create GMOs is damaging in any way. That does not mean that
individual products will never be unhealthy. But it does mean that GMOs should be approached on a
case-by-case basis.”
In the National Economic Council (NEC), the files of Robert Lawrence contain graphs and charts
regarding GMOs. For instance, there is a graph entitled “How GMOs Complicate U.S. Grain
Marketing,” a chart titled “Additional Costs Incurred in Segregating Specialty Crops: The Cases of
High Oil Corn and STS Soybeans (model for segregated marketing),” and a chart shows the effects EU
restrictions for GMOs had on soybean exports for 1999-2000. Often times the figures employed are
accompanied by the following guideline: “CEA/USDA Preliminary Analysis: Do Not Cite or Quote.”
The Automated Records Management System (ARMS) emails consist of unclassified communications
between White House staff concerning Deputies Committee (DC) meetings on biotechnology, fact
sheets, bill drafts, testimony, scholarly articles, policy drafts, memoranda, legislative actions, conference
arrangements, and some press releases. The email also contain communications and interagency
approvals between the White House, the USDA and the FDA. The NSC Cables include reports on trade
negotiations, particularly with the EU, and talking points for use in those negotiations. The NSC Emails
contain correspondence between NSC staff guidance regarding trade-related correspondence with
foreign officials, the development of press guidance, and DC meetings on GMOs.
System of Arrangement
Records that are responsive to this FOIA request were found in these collection areas—Clinton
Presidential Records: White House Office of Records Management (WHORM) Subject File, Clinton
Presidential Records: WHORM (OP), Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office
Files, Clinton Presidential Records: ARMS Emails, and Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable,
Email, and Records Management Systems.
The White House Office of Records Management (WHORM) contains a variety of series created to
organize and track documents and correspondence. The WHORM Subject File was compiled by the
White House Office of Records Management and is a series of categories designated by a letter/number
combination. In addition, there are WHORM, WHORM Counsel, WHORM (CL), WHORM (OP),
WHORM (Too Late), WHORM (Various Offices), and WHORM (Alpha Project) series.
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�Staff and Offices files were maintained at the folder level by staff members within their individual
offices and document all levels of administration activity.
WHORM files are processed at the document level; whereas, Staff and Office files are processed at the
folder level, that is, individual documents are not selected and removed from a folder for processing.
While this method maintains folder integrity, it frequently results in the incidental processing of
documents that are not wholly responsive to the subject area.
The Automated Records Management System (ARMS) is a database that contains email records of the
Executive Office of the President. This system maintained unclassified Presidential email. The ARMS
dataset is comprised of 7 sub-series of email records called “Buckets.” The buckets include NPR, OPD,
POTUS, WHO, CEA, Default, and NSC. ARMS emails are arranged chronologically by creation date.
FOIA 2013-0836-F includes WHORM records from these subject codes:
[AG]
[BE005]
[CO001-05]
[FG001-07]
[FO006]
[TA]
[TA003]
[Agriculture]
[Patents – Inventions – Copyrights – Trademarks]
[Europe]
[Appointments Granted, Presidential]
[International Conferences]
[Trade]
[Exports]
The following is a list of documents and folders processed in response to FOIA 2013-0836-F:
Box 1
Clinton Presidential Records: WHORM: Subject File
Category
Case Number
AG
305192
[BE005]
416295
CO001-05
249265SS
263824
281322SS
FG001-07
417041 [Genetically Modified Organisms]
FO006
266117
TA
304700
309867
TA003
149054
Clinton Presidential Records: WHORM: (OP)
419724
[Agri/Washington]
419724
[American Biotechnology Products]
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
Chief of Staff
Echaveste, Maria
GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [OA/ID 16802]
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�Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files (continued)
Chief of Staff
Tramontano, Karen
GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [OA/ID 18974]
Council of Economic Advisors
LeBlanc, Michael
Biotechnology [1] [OA/ID 20923]
Biotechnology [2] [OA/ID 20923]
[Biotechnology Articles, Notes, and Information] [loose] [OA/ID 20927]
GMO [Genetically Modified Organism] – Labeling – Domestic [1] [OA/ID 20923]
GMO [Genetically Modified Organism] – Labeling – Domestic [2] [OA/ID 20923]
GMO [Genetically Modified Organism] – Labeling – Domestic [3] [OA/ID 20923]
GMO [Genetically Modified Organism] – Trade [OA/ID 20923]
GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms]/Labels – Interagency Mtgs [Meetings],
1999-2000 [1] [OA/ID 20927]
GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms]/Labels – Interagency Mtgs [Meetings],
1999-2000 [2] [OA/ID 20927]
Box 2
GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms]/Labels – Interagency Mtgs [Meetings],
1999-2000 [3] [OA/ID 20927]
GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms]/Labels – Interagency Mtgs [Meetings],
1999-2000 [4] [OA/ID 20927]
GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms]/Labels – Interagency Mtgs [Meetings],
1999-2000 [5] [OA/ID 20927]
[Standards for Genetically Modified Organisms] [loose] [1] [OA/ID 20923]
[Standards for Genetically Modified Organisms] [loose] [2] [OA/ID 20923]
[Standards for Genetically Modified Organisms] [loose] [3] [OA/ID 20923]
Stiglitz, Joseph
Agriculture – Biotechnology [1] [OA/ID 9551]
Agriculture – Biotechnology [2] [OA/ID 9551]
Wu, Vivian
Agricultural Biotechnology [OA/ID 21177]
Domestic Policy Council
Freedman, Tom
Genetically Modified [OA/ID 17544]
Genetically Modified Foods [OA/ID 17544]
GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [OA/ID 17544]
Liu, Eric
Food Safety – GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [1] [OA/ID 103889]
Food Safety – GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [2] [OA/ID 103889]
National Economic Council
Brainard, Lael
BIOTECH – Glickman 7/99 [OA/ID CF 1360]
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�Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files (continued)
National Economic Council
Brainard, Lael
BIOTECH – GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] COS [Chief of Staff] (7/99)
[OA/ID CF 1360]
BIOTECH – GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] DC [Deputies Committee] (7/99)
[OA/ID CF 1360]
BIOTECH – Trade & Biosafety (7-8/99) [OA/ID CF 1360]
Box 3
BIOTECH (8/99) [OA/ID CF 1360]
BIOTECH – Environmental Safety (9/99) [OA/ID CF 1360]
BIOTECH – Monsanto (9/30/99) [OA/ID CF 1360]
BIOTECH – GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [OA/ID CF 1360]
BIOTECH – Food Safety (10/99) [OA/ID 1360]
BIOTECH PC [Principals Committee] (11/99) [OA/ID CF 1360]
BIOTECH BIOSAFETY (1/00) [OA/ID CF 1360]
BIOTECH – Organic Rule (2/00) [OA/ID CF 1360]
BIOTECH – Rollout (5/00) [OA/ID CF 1360]
BIOTECH – Codex (5/00) [OA/DI CF 1360]
Biotechnology/Food Safety (3/00) [1] [OA/ID CF 1361]
Biotechnology/Food Safety (3/00) [2] [OA/ID CF 1361]
Lawrence, Robert
Trade – Genetically Modified Organisms [1] [OA/ID 24014]
Trade – Genetically Modified Organisms [2] [OA/ID 24014]
Trade – Genetically Modified Organisms [3] [OA/ID 24014]
National Security Council
European Affairs
Yee, Hoyt
Biotech [OA/ID 3002]
Global Environmental Affairs
Bowles, Ian
Agriculture Biotech/USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] [Binder]
[1] [OA/ID 3395]
Box 4
Agriculture Biotech/USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] [Binder]
[2] [OA/ID 3395]
Agriculture Biotech/USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] [Binder]
[3] [OA/ID 3395]
Agriculture Biotech/USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] [Binder]
[4] [OA/ID 3395]
Agriculture Biotech/USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] [Binder]
[5] [OA/ID 3395]
International Economic Affairs
Duncan, John
G-8: G-7 Environmental and Biotech Issues (October 1999, Dresden Sherpa)
[OA/ID 2861]
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�Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files (continued)
National Security Council
International Economic Affairs
Duncan, John
APEC [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] – Biotechnology [OA/ID 3132]
WTO [World Trade Organization] – GMO [Genetically Modified Organism]
Strategy Deputies Meeting [DC], July 30, 1999 [OA/ID 3935]
Trade – GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [1] [OA/ID 4025]
Trade – GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [2] [OA/ID 4025]
Trade – Principals [PC Meeting] on Biotechnology, October 1999 [OA/ID 4025]
OECD [Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development] –
Biotechnology Mandate (GMOs) [Genetically Modified Organisms] [OA/ID
4055]
Hammonds, Holly
Biotechnology – Monsanto [OA/ID 2885]
Hendricks, Lori
Biotech – GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [OA/ID 2139]
Holtzapple, Richard
[G-7/G-8 1999 Cologne Summit] – GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [1]
[OA/ID 2223]
[G-7/G-8 1999 Cologne Summit] – GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [2]
[OA/ID 2223]
Box 5
[G-7/G-8 1999 Cologne Summit] – GMOs [Genetically Modified Organisms] [3]
[OA/ID 2223]
Samans, Richard
Biotechnology [1] [OA/ID 3944]
Biotechnology [2] [OA/ID 3944]
Biotechnology [3] [OA/ID 3944]
Biotechnology [4] [OA/ID 3944]
Biotechnology [5] [OA/ID 3944]
Biotechnology [6] [OA/ID 3944]
Biotechnology [7] [OA/ID 3944]
Box 6
Biotechnology [8] [OA/ID 3944]
Biotechnology [9] [OA/ID 3944]
Biotechnology [10] [OA/ID 3944]
Biotechnology [11] [OA/ID 3944]
Biotechnology [12] [OA/ID 3944]
Biotechnology [1] [OA/ID 3946]
Biotechnology [2] [OA/ID 3946]
Biotechnology [3] [OA/ID 3946]
Biotechnology [4] [OA/ID 3946]
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�Box 7
Clinton Presidential Records: Automated Records Management System [Email]
OPD [OA/ID 250000]
[Agriculture]
12/04/1997 – 08/11/2000]
WHO [OA/ID 500000]
[Agriculture]
[12/04/1997 – 07/21/2000]
CEA [OA/ID 950000]
[Agriculture]
[09/11/1998 – 08/16/2000]
Default [OA/ID 1100000]
[Agriculture]
[11/26/1996 – 11/16/2000]
OPD [OA/ID 250000]
[Biotechnology]
[05/02/1999 – 09/26/2000]
WHO [OA/ID 500000]
[Biotechnology]
[06/22/1999 – 10/16/2000]
[01/13/2001] [1] [1]
[01/13/2001] [1] [2]
Box 8
[01/13/2001] [2] [1]
[01/13/2001] [2] [2]
CEA [OA/ID 950000]
[Biotechnology]
[09/24/1998 – 11/16/2000]
Default [OA/ID 1100000]
[Biotechnology]
[11/13/1995 – 03/15/2000]
NSC [OA/ID 1200000]
[GMO…]
[05/05/1999 – 01/31/2000]
[02/02/2000 – 05/29/2000]
[06/12/2000 – 08/20/2000]
Clinton Presidential Records: Tape Restoration Project (TRP) [Email]
Default [OA/ID 1100000]
[Agriculture & Biotechnology]
[12/04/1997]
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�Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cables, Emails, and Records Management System
NSC Cables
Jan 1993 – Dec 1994
[GMO…]
[01/11/1994 – 12/12/1994] [OA/ID 505000]
Jan 1995 – Dec 1996
[GMO…]
[01/24/1995 – 12/29/1995] [OA/ID 510000]
[03/04/1996 – 12/13/1996] [OA/ID 510000]
Jan 1997 – Dec 1998
[GMO…]
[01/14/1997 – 03/26/1997] [OA/ID 520000]
Box 9
[04/01/1997 – 05/28/1997] [OA/ID 520000]
[06/04/1997 – 08/28/1997] [OA/ID 520000]
[09/11/1997 – 12/31/1997] [OA/ID 520000]
[01/08/1998 – 03/27/1998] [OA/ID 520000]
[04/02/1998 – 05/29/1998] [OA/ID 520000]
[06/04/1998 – 06/26/1998] [OA/ID 520000]
[07/02/1998 – 07/31/1998] [OA/ID 520000]
[08/03/1998 – 12/23/1998] [OA/ID 520000]
Jan 1999 – Dec 2000
[GMO…]
[02/05/1999 – 04/26/1999] [OA/ID 530000]
[07/03/1999 – 07/30/1999] [OA/ID 530000]
Box 10
[08/09/1999 – 10/29/1999] [OA/ID 530000]
[11/04/1999 – 12/22/1999] [OA/ID 530000]
[01/19/2000 – 06/29/2000] [OA/ID 530000]
[07/03/2000 – 09/29/2000] [OA/ID 530000]
[10/12/2000 – 11/27/2000] [OA/ID 530000]
[12/01/2000 – 12/22/2000] [OA/ID 530000]
Jan 2001
[GMO…]
[01/05/2001 – 01/19/2001] [OA/ID 540000]
NSC Emails
Exchange – Record (Sept 97 – Jan 01)
[GMO…]
[03/19/1998 – 06/23/1999] [OA/ID 620000]
[07/01/1999 – 12/15/1999] [OA/ID 620000]
[01/21/2000 – 10/22/2000] [OA/ID 620000]
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�Box 11
Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cables, Emails, and Records Management System (continued)
NSC Emails
Exchange – Non-Record (Mar 97 – Jan 01)
[GMO…]
[03/18/1998 – 12/22/1999] [OA/ID 630000]
[01/19/2000 – 07/17/2000] [OA/ID 630000]
NSC Records Management System
[GMO…]
9703857 [OA/ID 1624]
9708111 [OA/ID 1656]
9708265 [OA/ID 1657]
9802523 [OA/ID 2028]
9803429 [OA/ID 2036]
9803514 [OA/ID 2037]
9803516 [OA/ID 2037]
9805002 [OA/ID 2049]
9805181 [OA/ID 2050]
9908265 [OA/ID 2759]
0000371 [OA/ID 4073]
0004525 [OA/ID 4098]
0005975 [OA/ID 4106]
Last modified: 01/12/2016
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�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Finding Aids - Collection Descriptions & Inventories
Description
An account of the resource
Finding aids at the Clinton Presidential Library contain a detailed description of the collection including the total number of pages or photos and length of video and audio recordings. Finding aids also include background information of the collection’s topic and details on the record type (ex: email, memorandum, briefing book, Betacam video, audio cassette etc). <br /><br />Finding aids describe collections at the box and folder level, and include a folder title list and information about the arrangement of the collection. <br /><br /><strong>Please note the majority of collections have not yet been scanned nor made available online.</strong>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Agricultural Biotechnology – Collection Finding Aid
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2013-0836-F
Description
An account of the resource
This collection consists of records related to the Clinton Administration’s policies regarding agricultural biotechnology, specifically the creation and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). It contains correspondence, press material, reports, Congressional testimony, memoranda, research materials and emails. These materials address topics including international trade negotiations with the European Union, food safety and labeling, and research on GMOs.
<b>Please Note: No items in this collection have yet been scanned nor made available online. For access to the collection please visit the Clinton Library's research room.</b>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
The topic of the resource
Transgenic organisms
Biotechnology
National Economic Council (U.S.)
International trade
United States. Department of Agriculture
United States. Food and Drug Administration
United States. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
European Union
Finding Aid