Keep them in storage...for now.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishery and Food (SENASICA) has backed off a plan to require goods entering Mexico to be packed on pallets following discussions with the U.S. embassy here, with the support of the USA Rice Federation, and other agricultural interests. 

"The proposed rule to palletize goods shipped in sacks, combos, boxes, and small bags would have potentially increased the cost of freight -- something we'd like to avoid in our largest export market," said Bob Cummings, USA Rice COO.  

Cummings added that while the palletizing rule is not currently in effect, SENSASICA is reserving the right to enforce all or part of the rule in the future, but would provide a 60 day comment period for interested parties, followed by time for comment analysis and a grace period before full enforcement would begin. 

Contact:  Sarah Moran (703) 236-1457

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ARLINGTON, VA -- Just a reminder, the USA Rice Federation maintains two different Twitter accounts.  Check in at @eatusrice for recipes and information geared for today's busy consumer and follow @usaricenews to link to the USA Rice Daily every day as well as other news important to the rice industry.

Contact:  Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444

Around Washington

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to Host Media Call to Provide Six Month Farm Bill Update USDA

Wednesday, August 6, 11 a.m. EDT.

DIAL-IN:  888-324-9603. PASSCODE:FARM BILL (Given Verbally)

Innovative Policy Provides Opportunity for Preventative Care  

Union of Concerned Scientists

While hospitals and health insurers have historically focused exclusively on treatment, these institutions can now be part of prevention efforts thanks to the newly established Food Insecurity Nutrition Program (FINI). FINI, due to be launched by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in coming months, will provide grants to organizations seeking to increase low-income consumers' purchases of fruits and vegetables

US-Africa Summit Underway in Washington Voice of America

The United States is set to unveil nearly $1 billion in business deals, more funding for peacekeeping, and billions of dollars for food and power programs during the summit. (video included)

Around the Country

50 Under 50: Farm and Rural Advocates Plant Seeds of Passion and Commitment  

Agri-Pulse

Today's farm and rural leaders -- many Baby Boomers and older - will eventually climb down from those leadership tractor steps. Who will ascend them? Is rural America ready for this exodus? (Rice farmers Dow Brantley and Nicole Van Vleck included in the list)

Around the World

Drought Resistant Rice Sows Wealth in India Wall Street Journal

India's new prime minister, Narendra Modi, is pushing an agricultural policy aimed at extending the kind of gains in drought resistance made with rice to other crops and using changes in technology and farming methods to make India's farm output more resilient.

Trade and Tariffs

India Says Confident WTO Will Understand Food Security Concerns Reuters

After drawing widespread condemnation as the deadline for the deal lapsed on July 31, India has said it is ready to sign the global trade deal as early as next month if other WTO members agree to its demand for concessions on food subsidies, estimated at $12 billion a year.