USA Rice's Bob Cummings

CROWLEY, LA -- More than 400 rice farmers and industry stakeholders gathered here last week for the 106^th Annual Louisiana State University AgCenter Rice Research Field Day. USA Rice is an annual sponsor of the field day where growers receive the latest rice research findings and crop production recommendations from AgCenter scientists and extension personnel.

USA Rice's Bob Cummings reviewed the comprehensive report by the U.S. International Trade Commission on the global position of the U.S. rice industry.  The report, Rice: Global Competitiveness of the U.S. Rice Industry, is positive on the competitiveness of the industry, while also highlighting foreign government rice policies that could threaten U.S. competitiveness.  Cummings also talked about efforts to preserve our competitiveness in Mexico, the number one rice export market, and China, where USA Rice has been seeking access for nine years.

Following the field day activities, USA Rice staff presented the annual USA Rice Council report to the Louisiana Rice Promotion Board, the governor-appointed producer board responsible for allocating funds from the state's rice promotion check-off.

Cummings reviewed USA Rice's ongoing mechanisms for reporting activities to members and presented the financial report.  He also discussed domestic promotion activities, highlighting efforts to leverage food policy, educate registered retail dieticians, engage influential food and nutrition bloggers, educate school students, and continue outreach to foodservice.  Cummings also provided a look ahead at rice promotion plans during the 25^th anniversary of September National Rice Month.  He stressed the value of having Louisiana producers involved in developing and guiding promotion programs.

Jim Guinn, vice president of international promotion, reviewed market challenges and opportunities in top U.S. export markets focusing on Mexico, Central America, European Union, United Kingdom, Colombia, and Iraq, and outlined efforts to increase rice sales in each.

Contact:  Randy Jemison (337) 738-7009

LYON, FRANCE -- Last week the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) listed the pesticide 2,4-D as a "2B-possible" carcinogen.  The 2,4-D Research Task Force responded to the ranking, saying the IARC calssification of 2,4-D as a possible carcinogen is at odds with comprehensive cancer reviews completed by health and safety regulators worldwide. 

"No regulatory agency in the world considers 2,4-D to be a carcinogen," said Dr. Julie Goodman, an epidemiologist, board certified toxicologist, and consultant to the 2,4-D Research Task Force.  Dr. Goodman was an observer throughout the IARC meeting, which took place here June 2-9.

Pesticide 2,4-D has been the subject of hundreds of scientific studies and regulatory reviews.  Government regulatory agencies charged with protection of public health in more than 100 countries have evaluated the science and concluded that 2,4-D does not increase health risks when used as directed.  In fact, no government in the world considers it a carcinogen, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the European Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, and the WHO (which oversees IARC).

USA Rice is a member of the 2,4-D Task Force and has filed comments supporting the continued use of the product in rice.

Contact:  Steve Hensley (703) 236-1445