Working together

SEOUL, KOREA -- In preparation for Wednesday's annual U.S.-Korea rice technical meeting, a USA Rice Federation delegation met today with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's staff at the U.S. embassy to discuss market access, and with Korean rice wholesalers who are purchasers of U.S. rice from the Korean government for marketing to the "table rice," or retail market.

The USA Rice team are all members of the Technical Working Group and include Chairman Alex Balafoutis, PGP International; Todd Burich, ADM Rice; Chris Crutchfield, American Commodity Company; Jim Higa, Sun Valley Rice; California rice producer Michael Rue; and USA Rice COO Bob Cummings.

This series of meetings is focused on technical issues related to rice production, including tender specifications.    

U.S. exports to Korea were just under 159,000 MT in 2013, and averaged 131,000 MT in 2011-2013.

Contact:  Bob Cummings (703) 236-1473

Around Washington

EPA Welcomes More Comments on Water Regs The Hill

With tension surrounding the regulation increasing, the EPA announced Monday in an email to reporters it is extending the comment period for the second time through Nov. 14.

How School Lunch Became the Latest Political Battleground New York Times

The Obama administration got behind the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, an ambitious bill that would impose strict new nutrition standards on all food sold in public schools. But to pass the bill, the White House needed to enlist not only Democrats and Republicans in Congress but also a host of overlapping and competing interest groups: the manufacturers who supplied food to schools, the nutrition experts who wanted it to be more healthful and the lunch ladies who would have to get children to eat it.

Around the Country

Agriculture Officials Urge Drone Rule Changes Mississippi Sun Herald

Louisiana agricultural officials have asked the federal government to loosen restrictions on the use of pilotless aerial vehicles. The Federal Aviation Administration is modifying drone regulations and is expected to release proposed rules in November.

Growing Your Farm to School Program Has Never Been Easier USDA

Farm to school brings local or regionally produced foods into school cafeterias; hands-on learning activities such as school gardening, farm visits, and culinary classes; and the integration of food-related education into the classroom curriculum.

Rice is Growing in Franklin County The Recorder, Greenfield MA

There are probably 15 to 20 people growing a total of 5 to 10 acres of rice throughout the Northeast.

Around the World

Thailand Plans Moves to Support Rice Prices Wall Street Journal

Thailand's national rice policy committee said it plans to introduce measures to delay the sale of some rice from the coming harvest to try to support prices.

Farm Tech Isn't a War Between Good and Evil - It's a Quest for Whatever Works Grist

We should be making agriculture more sustainable by any means that can work: agroecology, climate-smart farming, biotechnology, and, yes, GMOs.

Trade and Tariffs

Developing Countries Blast Rich-World Farm Subsidies at Rome Talks Reuters

Concerns over developed-world farm subsidies took a back seat for policy makers in recent years, as high prices for agricultural goods led to food riots and worries that a growing number of people in poor countries couldn't afford to eat.