The agricultural, chemical and food processing industries welcomed the announcement today, but some environmental spokesmen criticized the agency's action, saying the new policy will not adequately protect public health.

A spokesman for Eastern criticized the creditors' actions.

A spokesman for Crossroads Ventures criticized the report, saying that Mr. Hevesi had not sought comment from the company.

Environmentalists Are Critical Although the proposed regulations would be in compliance with the treaty, spokesmen for the environmental group criticized them as "too little and too late."

Mr. Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer, criticized the speech, describing it as representative of an activist view of government.

But a spokesman for the Interior Department, Steven Goldstein, criticized the Congressional action.

A spokesman for an industry coalition trying to influence the clean air legislation also criticized the draft.

In New York, spokesmen for several insurer groups criticized the 24-hour approach at a State Senate Labor Committee hearing last week.

A spokesman for the Dutch foreign ministry criticized the commission's decision to give Germany an extra year to bring down its deficit.

Their masked spokesman and military leader, still known only as Subcommander Marcos, criticized the Government angrily for asserting that the plan represented a tentative agreement.