Under examination

WASHINGTON, DC -- Yesterday, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI), in coordination with Representative Charles Boustany (R-LA), a senior member of the committee, wrote to the International Trade Commission (ITC) requesting a study of the various factors and policies affecting the global competitiveness of the U.S. rice industry.  The study is known as a Section 332 investigation and provides a report to Congress at the conclusion of the work. 

The study will include information on the rice industry in the U.S. and in major producing and exporting countries, such as China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Uruguay, and Brazil, and will contain a comparison of the competitive strengths and weaknesses of rice production and exports in the U.S. and other major exporting countries.  The scope of the study is broad and will cover areas like production costs, pricing and marketing regimes, government policies and programs, and an assessment on how these policies impact production, exports, consumption, and prices.  The study will also examine the impact on the U.S. rice industry of exports from competitor countries to the U.S. and traditional U.S. markets like Mexico, Haiti, and West Africa.

USA Rice pursued this action to help provide verifiable data and information about domestic and global factors impacting the U.S. rice industry, which can be used to reinforce the need for comprehensive, high-standard trade agreements and aggressive enforcement of existing agreements.  The report will focus on the 2009-2013 period and should be submitted to Congress no later than 11 months from now. 

"The USA Rice Federation greatly appreciates Chairman Camp and Representative Boustany for requesting this study and for their ongoing interest in trade issues impacting the competitiveness of the U.S. rice industry," said USA Rice Chairman Mark Denman.  "We look forward to working with the ITC staff as they undertake this investigation and to providing industry input as appropriate."

Contact:  Bob Cummings, (703) 236-1473  

It's all in the tank.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The recently released conference report on the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) includes language that will ease the burden on producers to comply with the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule.  The USA Rice Federation has been working with Members of Congress for years to address this regulatory issue and, thanks to the leadership of Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR), this regulatory relief provision is on track to become law. 

The language will raise the threshold level for triggering the rule to 6,000 gallons. This amount is temporary, at least until a study is conducted, when the level may be reduced to 2,500 gallons -- still above the current 1,320 gallon threshold. 

Professional Engineer certification would be required for a farm with an individual tank capacity greater than 10,000 gallons or aggregate capacity greater than 20,000 gallons.  Self-certification would be allowed for farms with an aggregate capacity less than 20,000 gallons but above either the 6,000 or 2,500 gallon threshold, whichever is determined for use following the study.  All of these allowances assume a farm with no discharge history of oil spills to water.

The House and Senate are scheduled to vote on the WRRDA conference report next week.

Contact: Steve Hensley, (703) 236-1445

ARLINGTON, VA -- The USA Rice Federation has compiled a comprehensive "frequently asked questions" document based on the questions raised during the twelve farm bill briefings conducted over the past two months.  The FAQ list covers the major commodity, crop insurance, and conservation provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill and aims to help make clear how the programs are intended to work.  Please note these answers are based on our interpretation of the bill and are subject to change based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) interpretation and implementation of the bill. 

"We are working to provide as many resources as possible to rice producers and other industry members so they are informed and up to date on the new Farm Bill and the status of implementation," said Reece Langley, USA Rice vice president of government affairs.  "We appreciate all of the good questions and feedback received during the briefings and are using that information to make USDA aware of potential issues to address during implementation."

Please visit the USA Rice Farm Bill page for more information, resources, and links to useful sites.

Contact:  Evan Spencer, (703) 236-1476

AARQ Association for the Administration of Rice Quotas, Inc.

Independent bids are invited for rights to ship U.S.-origin milled rice to the European Union under a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) granted by the EU to the United States.

Bids must be submitted on May 29, 2014 for the July 2014 TRQ Tranche, in which the following quantity is available:

            EU Duty

Semi-Milled or Milled Rice                             9,680                                       zero  

(HTS item 1006.30)

TRQ Certificates will be awarded to the highest bidder(s). Any person or entity incorporated or domiciled in the United States is eligible to bid.   The minimum bid quantity is 18 metric tons. Performance security (the lesser of $50,000 or the total value of the bid) must be submitted with each bid.   Potential bidders may obtain the required bid forms and bid instructions from:

AARQ Administrator

Economic Consulting Services, LLC

2001 L Street, NW, Suite 1000

Washington, D.C. 20036

Tel: (202) 466-1150       Fax: (202) 785-3330

Note: Potential bidders should consult regulations in the Official Journal of the European Union to determine the applicable tariff rate on semi-milled/milled rice. AARQ disclaims any responsibility for advising potential bidders on applicable tariff rates. Potential bidders should also consult EC regulations relating to testing for unauthorized GMOs.

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