24th September , 2013
Chinese COLOR SORTER as low as Pak Rs 22 Lakh Only A Time Limited Offer Contact: Cell: 0300 414 3493
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
TOP Contents - Tailored for YOU Latest News Headlines…
Food exports increase 10% in 2-mth of FY14 Positive steps to put SME rice exporters back on track urged Cambodian Rice Exports Double in the First Seven Months Commerce Ministry to introduce Semi-online monitoring system in rice mortgage scheme Kharif rice output projected to drop to 92.32 mn tonnes: Govt Agri company backs up DA's rice self-sufficiency campaign China Claims to Have Bought a Huge Chunk of Ukraine Group assures public of stable rice supply Brazil Donates Rice To WFP Refugee Operation In Ethiopia Modifying Rice Crops to Resist Herbicide Prompts Weedy Neighbors' Growth Spurt Challenges for rice in proposed U.S.–EU negotiations
NEWS DETAILS:
Food exports increase 10% in 2-mth of FY14 ISLAMABAD: Food group exports from the country during first two months of current financial year swelled by 10.17 percent and reached at $682.712 million as compared to the same period of last year.During the period from July-August 2013 different food commodities worth $682.712 million were exported, which were recorded at $619.96 million in same period of last year, said the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.During the period under review, rice exports increased by 27.76 percent and reached 575,368 metric tonnes worth $286.605 million against the last year‘s exports of 345,965 metric tonnes valuing $244.324 million.However, the data reveled that the exports of Basmati rice recorded negative growth of 21 percent in first two months of current financial year.The country was able to export only 104,676 metric tonnes of basmati rice worth $95 million as compared to 130,191 metric tonnes costing $121.084 million in corresponding period of last year. Meanwhile, the data revealed that exports of rice other than basmati registered tremendous increase of 85.03 percent and was recorded at 370,693 metric tonnes of $191.02 million as compared to the exports of 215,774 metric tonnes valuing $103.240 million during the first two months of last year.From July-August, fish and fish
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
preparations exports grew by 35.57 percent and country earned $43.311 million by exporting about 19,310 metric tonnes of fish and fish preparations, which was recorded at 13,789 metric tonnes worth $$31.94 million in same period of last year.The meat and meat preparations exports from the country also surged by 17.84 percent and reached at 15,711 metric tonnes as against 11,729 metric tonnes of last year.In first two months country earned $48.65 million by exporting meat and meat preparations, which were recorded at $41.29 million during same period of last year, the data reveled. app
Positive steps to put SME rice exporters back on track urged September 24, 2013:OUR STAFF REPORTER
KARACHI - The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has invited attention of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) towards disabling of small to medium sized rice exporters due to defective policy of interference by Quality Review Committee (QRC) and urged the authority to examine the aspects and take positive measures to put the SME rice exporters back on track before the arrival of the new crop. The SME rice exporters are hoping that the TDAP will recognise the fact that the SMEs play an important role in value addition of basmati and non basmati rice and need to function smoothly without hindrance from QRC who does not know the importance of brand promotion and lacks the commercial angle and marketing wisdom.President Unisame Zulfikar Thaver said that the rice export business is now in the hands of big exporters and SME rice exporters have been virtually eliminated gradually over a period of time. The big exporters enjoy financing and are in a position to purchase rice on arrival of the new crop and due to their heavy buying the prices then rise beyond the affordable line of the SMEs who buy in small quantities regularly due to financial constraints.He said the 385 variety basmati rice is not grown any more in Punjab and the size of the basmati D 98 variety crop is now much reduced. The growers in Sindh have grown more of super basmati rice and less of Irri 6 but fortunately the yield per acre of Irri 6 has increased and there will be sufficient quantity for exports. Overall the size of the crop in Sindh will show an increase by about 10pc. He pointed out that due to floods in Punjab it is expected that the crop size will be lower by about 20pc but since the exports of basmati have fallen substantially the demand is less and the shortfall in crop will not cause any difficulties. It is expected that after a gap of almost 2 years parboiled rice factories in Sindh will start functioning again and brighten the prospects for exports.
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
In view of the prospects Unisame has urged the TDAP to act wisely and support the SME rice exporters by removing hindrances and promoting the SMEs to establish their brands and process the varieties according to the requirements of the buyers without hurdles.
Cambodian Rice Exports Double in the First Seven Months By Lindsey Peterson and Hul Reaksmey - September 24, 2013
Cambodia exported 221,027 tons of milled rice in the first seven months of the year, an increase of 103 percent compared to the same period last year, according to figures from the Ministry of Commerce.Officials and rice experts said the increase in exports was thanks to rising demand for rice on world markets coupled with increased investment in rice milling.Figures from the ministry also show that the value of the exported rice over the seven-month period totaled $149.6 million, a rise of 96 percent compared with the previous year.The government has set a target to reach exports of 1 million tons of milled rice by 2015 in an effort to compete more with neighboring markets Vietnam and Thailand and improve the livelihoods of farmers. David Vichet Van, deputy secretary general of the Alliance of Rice Producers and Exporters of Cambodia, said the 1 million-ton target had helped local investors in particular to pour more cash into the rice sector.―Since the [government has] thrown its weight behind the rice sector…Cambodian rice is being gradually known and accepted in the international market,‖ he said, adding that more than 50 percent of exported rice from Cambodia was now made up of more expensive fragrant varieties as opposed to the cheaper long grain white rice.Still, he said that Cambodia has a great deal of work to do in order to compete with countries such as Burma, which had begun exporting more rice on international markets.
―Our most direct competitor now is Myanmar since they also benefitted from EBA [Everything But Arms] tax free import privileges [from the European Union]. Their long grain white rice is way cheaper than ours and their logistics and infrastructure cost is also much lower than ours,‖ he said.Another rice type that has seen a large increase in production and quality is organic rice.Yang Saing Koma, president of the Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture, said he expected that yields for organic rice during the next harvest season in January would increase by 165 percent to 900 tons of milled brown and white compared to the last harvest. © 2013, The Cambodia Daily. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in print, electronically, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without written permission.
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
Commerce Ministry to introduce Semi-online monitoring system in rice mortgage scheme Date : 24
2556
BANGKOK, 24 September 2013 (NNT) - The Commerce Ministry will introduce a semi-online system to facilitate the next round of rice mortgage scheme commencing on October 1st, in its bid to prevent corruption. Director of the Public Warehouse Organization (PWO) Chanutpakon Wongsrinin met with 300 provincial PWO coordinators from nationwide to prepare for the implementation of the online pledging system. Toward that goal, the PWO sets to provide crucial information on details of the new round of the rice pledging scheme to millers, warehouse operators, and surveyors responsible for rice quality inspection. According to the PWO Director, the Semi-Online IT system will speed up the procedure, particularly in the issuance of godown receipts to rice farmers. Director Chanutpakon believed that the IT system would significantly reduce corruption risks through receipt duplication. The system is expected to be fully operational by January or February next year. The system would also likely be used in other agricultural mortgage programs such as cassava, the director added. Mr. Chanutpakon also expressed his confidence that there would be enough warehouses joining the rice mortgaging scheme this season, due to the reduced number of rice being allowed to be mortgaged by each farmer.
Kharif rice output projected to drop to 92.32 mn tonnes: Govt But total foodgrain output was estimated at 128.20 million tonnes Country‘s rice production is projected to drop to 92.32 million tonnes in the kharif season this year due to deficient rains in some states, but the overall foodgrain output is estimated to rise marginally to 129.32 million tonnes in the same period.The rice production stood at 92.76 million tonnes in the kharif (summer) season of the 2012-13 crop year (JuneJuly), while total foodgrain output was estimated at 128.20 million tonnes.―As per the first advance estimate for kharif season of 2013-14, rice production is estimated at 92.32 million tonnes in the kharif season of this year,‖ Agriculture Commissioner J S
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
Sandhu said at the national conference on rabi (winter) crops. The estimate for rice output is kept lower as deficient rains in Bihar, Jharkhand and North East have affected the kharif crops, he said.Also, the flood situations in Assam, Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have an impact on the kharif crops, he added.Mr Sandhu said, however, maize production is projected to increase to 17.78 million tonnes in the kharif season of this year, against 16.04 million tonnes in the year-ago period.Pulses production is also estimated to rise to 6.01 million tonnes from 5.91 million tonnes in the review period.Whereas millet production is forecast at 13.21 million tonnes in the kharif season of this year, he said.Sowing of kharif crops begin with the onset of southwest monsoon from June, while harvesting starts from October. According to Indian Meteorological Department, the 53 per cent of the country received normal monsoon. Onethird of the country received excess rains.Monsoon has withdrawn from western and northern regions of the country. Early withdrawal of monsoon has created heat stress in central parts of the country, Mr Sandhu added.The Agriculture Ministry releases production estimates at different stages of crop. Keywords: rice production, kharif season
Agri company backs up DA's rice self-sufficiency campaign BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA PECSON TIU Tuesday 24th of September 2013 TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, September 24 (PIA) – A private agri company is fully supportive of the Department of Agriculture‘s campaign to achieve rice self-sufficiency in the country.The Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines theough Zone Business Manager Vivencio G. Soguilon, Jr. expressed its support to the campaign during the Pioneer Tagumpalay Rice Exposition held on September 17, 2013 at Barangay Comatin, Javier, Leyte.―We support DA‘s campaign on increased rice productivity and rice self-sufficiency by way of introducing highyielding hybrid rice varieties and highly-adaptable technologies,‖ Mr. Soguilon said.The Expo served as a showcase of performance of the company‘s Pioneer hybrid rice varieties with the application of appropriate inputs and technologies.PHB 73, 77 and 81 are the Pioneer rice varieties displayed in the Expo which gained favorable impression from almost 400 farmers coming from the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran. Mr. Soguilon revealed that Pioneer targets to cover at least 1,000 farmers in Leyte to participate in the same activity for a five-day period (Sept. 17-21, 2013). He assured the farmer participants that Pioneer hybrid rice seeds can give them a maximum harvest of 12 tons per hectare with the use of proper technologies.Meanwhile, Ms Avelita C. Riños, Agricultural Technologist, disclosed that the Local Government Unit of Javier has also initiated strategies to increase rice productivity in their locality.She especially cited the ‗Rice 300‘ Program of Mayor Leonardo Javier where a farmer can avail of a loan for inputs worth P18,000 per hectare without interest, payable after harvest. These inputs include hybrid rice seeds and fertilizers.Ms. Riños further explained that the program aims to motivate farmers to attain a yield of 300 bags per hectare using hybrid rice varieties.
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
―Mayor Javier has committed to give incentives to those who can reach 300 cavans per hectare or more,‖ she revealed.So far, the highest hybrid rice yield in Javier recorded was 209 metric tons/ha., she added. Ms. Jessa Faye Macapanas, DA assistant info officer disclosed that also seen gracing the activity was Mr. Jaime Casas, Provincial Agriculturist of Biliran, who encouraged all stakeholders of the rice industry to work together to achieve rice self-sufficiency which is embedded in the 2013 National Year of Rice campaign. (PIA 8
China Claims to Have Bought a Huge Chunk of Ukraine September 24, 2013 11:45 am Photo: Peter Fend‘a
Yesterday, China announced that Ukraine will soon become its largest overseas farm—but the agricultural group that‘s supposed to be selling off the land says that‘s not exactly the case.The South China Morning Post reported that China plans to buy 3 million hectares of Ukrainian land—an area equivalent to Massachusetts or the country of Belgium—and is dropping a minimum of $2.6 billion on the venture. The project would begin with about 100,000 acres for growing crops and raising pigs, but eventually expand to its full scope over a period of 50 years. Quartz reported on additional perks of the deal: The deal comes after Ukraine lifted a law barring foreigners from buying Ukrainian land last year. As part of the deal, China‘s Export-Import bank has given Ukraine a $3 billion loan for agricultural development. In exchange for its produce, Ukraine will receive seeds, equipment, a fertilizer plant (Ukraine imports about $1 billion worth of fertilizer every year), and a plant to produce a crop protection agent. XPCC also says it will help build a highway in Ukraine‘s Autonomous Republic of Crimea as well as bridge across the Strait of Kerch, a transport and industrial center for the country.However, the deal may not be quite as solid as the SCMP reported. After the news broke, Ukraine‘s KSG Agro released a statement denying that things have been settled with their investors to the east. The news published in the media about a Xinjiang corporation and KSG Agro does not reflect the reality.At the moment, KSG Agro and its Chinese partners are working on a contract for cooperation in the execution of a
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
project aimed at the installation of drip irrigation systems over an area of 3,000 hectares in 2014.KSG Agro does not intend or have any right to sell land to foreigners, including the Chinese. If Ukraine does decide to hand over the land deeds, it won‘t be the first time China has bought up land abroad for farming purposes. As Quartz reports, China bought 400,000 hectares in Sudan in 2010 and 110,000 hectares in Tajikistan in 2011, both for growing cotton, rice and other crops. According to the Morning Post, China also owns more than 200,000 hectares in Argentina for growing soya beans and corn, and has significant investments in Brazil.Because domestic grain prices have remained static, the Post explains, China‘s demand for cheaper imported grain have increased, which puts pressure on the country‘s goal of remaining 90 percent self-sufficient when it comes to food production. If China can secure the deeds to land abroad, then technically the country won‘t be importing food from Argentina, Sudan and Tajikistan, but growing it on Chinese soil.
Group assures public of stable rice supply By Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star) | Updated September 24, 2013 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - A party-list group representing rice farmers has assured the nation that there is enough rice supply despite the increase in the prices of the staple.―We have assessed the situation. There is really no shortage,‖ Abono party-list chairman Rosendo So said after meeting with industry stakeholders, including officers of the Philippine Confederation of Grains Associations, Region 1 Confederation of Irrigators‘ Association and Fertilizer Industry Association of the Philippines. So said the slight increase in rice prices might have been due to the delay in harvest or manipulation by smugglers to create an artificial shortage that would justify the release of smuggled rice into the market.―The planting season was delayed because the rainy season was also delayed. Some farmers planted in July, some in August, so it is as if there is shortage when actually there is none,‖ he said in a statement.―Retailers were also waiting for the next harvest so they were not increasing their stockpile,‖ he added.According to So, industry stakeholders expect rice prices to stabilize in the next two weeks with the upcoming harvest in Isabela. He said that Isabela is projected to harvest 167,700 metric tons this month, while the entire Cagayan Valley region would bring in 264,000 MT in the next two to three weeks.After Cagayan Valley and Isabela, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan would follow, with their harvest coming in middle of next month, So said.Isabela, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan are among the country‘s biggest rice-producing provinces.
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
‗Check rice prices‘ Rep. Jonathan de la Cruz of the party-list group Abakada yesterday asked Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala to check the continued increase in rice prices.Earlier, Alcala said consumers should not panic because the country has enough supply of rice. ―Secretary Alcala has repeatedly issued statements in the media that he will file cases against those supposedly involved in rice hoarding and economic sabotage, but these have not prevented the increases in the prices of rice,‖ De la Cruz said.He said the DA chief should take stronger action against rice price manipulators, hoarders and smugglers. De la Cruz cited data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) to support his claim that rice prices are high. The bureau is under the DA.BAS data show that the average retail price of regular milled rice in the second week of September was P36.10 per kilo, P3.70 higher than a year ago and P4.70 more than what consumers paid for in 2011.De la Cruz said Alcala‘s assurances that the country has enough rice supply have not been felt in the marketplace, where consumers still complain of high rice prices.―I for one would like to believe Secretary Alcala‘s statements that all is well, that we have an ample supply and that we will be selfsufficient in rice this year,‖ he said.―But if you see that prices are high, as shown in the data of the BAS itself, you come to a different conclusion,‖ he added.
Brazil Donates Rice To WFP Refugee Operation In Ethiopia Source: World Food Programme - Tue, 24 Sep 2013 10:28 AM:Author: World Food Programme
ADDIS ABABA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today received 1,513 metric tons of rice, valued at US$718,000 (more than 13 million Ethiopian birr), from the Government of Brazil to assist refugees living in various camps in Ethiopia.The handover ceremony, which took place at the WFP warehouse in Nazareth, was attended by representatives from the embassies of Brazil and Norway, from the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) and from the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR."WFP is grateful for Brazil's noteworthy contribution and keen interest in helping refugees who are unable to support themselves," said Abdou Dieng, WFP Representative and Country Director in Ethiopia. "We also appreciate the support given by the Norwegian and Swiss governments for the transportation and delivery of the food." Norway and Switzerland have agreed with WFP Ethiopia to use their contributions for costs associated with the delivery of the food to refugees."The Brazilian government recognises the challenges involved in feeding refugees," said Isabel Cristina De Azevedo Heyvaert, Brazil's ambassador to Ethiopia. "We expect to maintain this positive relationship and assist WFP in its endeavours to address food insecurity and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities," she added.Brazil has significantly increased its contributions to WFP in recent years, from US$1 million in 2007 to nearly US$83 million in 2012. Brazil has so far provided more than 23,000 metric tons of food, valued at $11.4 million (more than 214 million Ethiopian birr), to WFP's operations in Ethiopia.WFP Ethiopia is assisting 370,000 refugees who fled from Somalia, South Sudan and Eritrea. The organisation aims to meet the basic nutritional needs of these families until conditions are ripe for them to return
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
to their countries of origin.Beneficiaries receive a monthly general food ration consisting of cereals, rice, fortified blended food, pulses, vegetable oil, sugar and iodised salt. WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Last year, WFP reached more than 97 million people in 80 countries with food assistance. For more information please contact (email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org): Melese Awoke, WFP/Addis Ababa, Mob. +251 911 201 981 Clar Ni Chonghaile, WFP/Nairobi, Tel. + 254 707722105
Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation
Modifying Rice Crops to Resist Herbicide Prompts Weedy Neighbors' Growth Spurt Sep. 23, 2013 — Rice containing an overactive gene that makes it resistant to a common herbicide can pass that genetic trait to weedy rice, prompting powerful growth even without a weed-killer to trigger the modification benefit, new research shows.Previously, scientists have found that when a genetically modified trait passes from a crop plant to a closely related weed, the weed gains the crop‘s engineered benefit – resistance to pests, for example – only in the presence of the offending insects.This new study is a surprising example of gene flow from crops to weeds that makes weeds more vigorous even without an environmental trigger, researchers say.The suspected reason: This modification method enhances a plant‘s own growth control mechanism, essentially making it grow faster – an attractive trait in crops but a recipe for potential problems with weedy relatives that could out-compete the crop. ―Our next question is whether this method of enhancing plant growth could be developed for any crop. We want to know whether growers could get higher yields in the crop and then, if it happened to cross with a related weed, whether it might make the weed more prolific as well,‖ said Allison Snow, professor of evolution, ecology and organismal biology at The Ohio State University and a lead author of the paper.―It‘s unusual for any transgene to have such a positive effect on a wild relative and even more so for herbicide resistance,‖ she said. ―But we think we know why: It‘s probably because the pathway regulated by this gene is so important to the plant.‖The work is the result of Snow‘s longtime collaboration with senior author Bao-Rong Lu, a professor at Fudan University in Shanghai. Their publication appears online in the journal New Phytologist. The weed-killer glyphosate, sold under the brand name Roundup, kills plants by inhibiting a growth-related pathway activated by the epsps gene. Biotech companies have inserted mutated forms of a similar gene from microbes into crop plants, producing ―Roundup Ready‖ corn and soybeans that remain undamaged by widespread herbicide application.But in this study, the researchers used a different method, boosting activation of the native epsps gene in rice plants – a process called overexpressing – to give the plants enough strength to survive an application of herbicide. Because companies that genetically modify commercial crops don‘t fully disclose their methods, Snow and her colleagues aren‘t sure how prevalent this method might be, now or in the
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
future.―This is a relatively new way to get a trait into a crop: taking the plant‘s own gene and ramping it up,‖ Snow said. ―We don‘t know yet if our findings are going to be generalizable, but if they are, it‘s definitely going to be important.‖To overexpress the native gene in rice, the scientists attached a promoter to it, giving the plant an extra copy of its own gene and ensuring that the gene is activated at all times. The researchers conducted tests in rice and four strains of a relative of the same species, weedy rice, a noxious plant that infests rice fields around the world. By crossing genetically altered herbicide-resistant rice with weedy rice to mimic what happens naturally in the field, the researchers created crop-weed hybrids that grew larger and produced more offspring than unaltered counterparts – even without any herbicide present.In regulated field experiments, the hybrids containing the overexpressed gene produced 48 percent to 125 percent more seeds per plant than did hybrid plants with no modified genes. They also had higher concentrations of a key amino acid, greater photosynthetic rates and better fledgling seed growth than controls – all presumed signs of better fitness in evolutionary terms. ―Fitness is a hard thing to measure, but you can conclude that if a gene gives you a lot more seeds per plant compared to controls, it‘s likely to increase the plants‘ fitness because those genes would be represented at a higher percentage in future generations,‖ Snow said.When Snow and Lu set out to study this new genetic engineering method, they didn‘t know what to expect. ―Our colleagues developed this novel transgenic trait in rice and we didn‘t know if it would have a fitness benefit, or a cost, or be neutral,‖ Snow said. ―With most types of herbicide resistant genes, there‘s no benefit to a wild plant unless the herbicide is sprayed. A lot of transgenes in crop plants are either selectively neutral in wild plants or, if they have a benefit, it depends on environmental factors like insects, diseases or herbicides being present.‖Snow has a history in this area of research. She has found that genes from crop plants can persist in related weeds over many generations. In 2002, she led a study that was the first to show that a gene artificially inserted into crop plants to fend off pests could migrate to weeds in a natural environment and make the weeds stronger. She also has served on national panels that monitor and make recommendations about the release of genetically engineered species into the environment. She is interested in identifying new possible outcomes of the growth of crop-weed hybrids that contain genetic modifications, but she doesn‘t take sides about possible risks and benefits of genetically modified crops.―It‘s not always the end of the world if a weed starts to become a lot more common after acquiring a new trait – there may be effective ways to manage that weed,‖ Snow said. ―You just can‘t make sweeping generalizations about genetic engineering, and knowledge from ecological studies like ours can help inform risk assessment and biosafety oversight.‖ Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:
Challenges for rice in proposed U.S.–EU negotiations GUEST COMMENTARY
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
Sep. 23, 2013Bob Cummings, USA Rice Federation | Delta Farm Press
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is an ambitious attempt to bring together the two largest economies in the world (the United States and the European Union) to create new business and job growth opportunities. For agriculture, and rice in particular, major challenges have to be resolved. More About:
Earlier this year, the United States and the European Union announced plans to enter into negotiations on a comprehensive trade and investment agreement. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) is an
ambitious attempt to bring together the two largest economies in the world to create new business and job growth opportunities. For agriculture, and rice in particular, major challenges have to be resolved before an agreement can adequately benefit the United States.The EU has traditionally been a major export destination for U.S. rice, particularly long-grain varieties from the Mid-South. However, U.S. access is sharply constrained by EU import policies designed to protect the brown rice milling industry in northern Europe; to provide specific tariff concessions on rice from former EU colonies; and to provide duty free access to least developed countries. The current regimes severely distort the import market, raise serious questions about compliance with the EU‘s obligations to the World Trade Organization, and are detrimental to U.S. export interests. The USA Rice Federation, therefore, strongly supports and calls for full liberalization for all forms and types of U.S. rice. This means eliminating current tariffs over an established time period upon implementation of the agreement.The most significant long-term obstacle for U.S. rice is the EU‘s regulatory approval structure for plant products containing genetically modified (GM) traits. Following the unintended contamination of the commercial supply of U.S. long-grain rice in August 2006 with the LibertyLink 601 and 62 GM traits, U.S. rice exports to the EU plummeted. U.S. rice exports to the EU were nearly 322,000 metric tons (mt), valued at $95.4 million, in 2005-06 (AugustJuly), before the impact of the LibertyLink contamination. Exports have remained below 100,000 mt annually since then with one exception. Exports in 2011-12 were the lowest since the contamination at 60,197 mt, valued at $47.4 million.Despite the successful effort of the U.S. rice industry to effectively remove the LL traits from the commercial supply, trade has not returned and the lack of a functioning EU biotechnology regulatory approval process is responsible. The EU maintains a zero-tolerance regulatory policy towards the presence of unapproved GM traits in food and feed, and EU importers are unwilling to take the legal risk of large-scale imports of U.S. long-grain rice, notwithstanding the effective elimination of LL traits.USA Rice urges the U.S. government to use the T-TIP to
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
negotiate a functioning, science-based EU regulatory regime for biotechnology in general, and to press for adoption of an EU low-level presence policy (LLP) for foods that would include specifically the LL601 trait. Because of the effective non-existence of LL traits in the U.S. supply, such an LLP would remove the regulatory road block from re-establishing a market presence for U.S. long-grain rice in the EU. Subscribe to Delta Farm Press Daily. As a 21st century agreement, the T-TIP has the potential to resolve longstanding issues across many agricultural industries. Free trade in all forms and types of rice between the United States and the EU and a regulatory solution that includes a low-level presence policy would allow the U.S. rice industry to regain its market share in the EU and compete on a more level playing field.
For Advertising SPECS & RATES Contact: Advertising Department Mujahid Ali
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874
mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com +92 321 369 2874
Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874