Dwight Roberts, President and CEO, US Rice Producers Association | Delta Farm Press

The longtime debate on exporting milled versus rough rice continues and appears to be entering a new chapter. Going back to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico, then the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and more recent agreements like the treaty with Colombia, all tell a story.

As we enter what appears to be a new era in international trade, the U.S. rice farmer must ask himself, “Would I still be in business if there were no rough rice exports?”

Farmers were told that rough rice exports would cripple our domestic market and erode our infrastructure. Ask anyone in the wheat industry what happened to all those flour mills that used to export bagged flour. They closed and the U.S. became the largest exporter of wheat in the world.

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In this issue:

• Rice Market Update: “We Are Dealing with an Unknown Supply"
• New Agricultural Research Foundation Names Advisory Committee Members

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Dec 16 2015

Washington, D.C. “ Today, Congressman Ted Poe (TX-2) announced that he has joined a bipartisan group of 10 Members of Congress to launch the Cuba Working Group, a group that will focus on crafting new policies and ways to appropriately restore U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations. The group announced its formation in a letter sent to Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Its launch comes one year after President Obama announced that he would unilaterally try to normalize U.S. relations with Cuba.

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By Doris Maricle

dmaricle@americanpress.com

Southwest Louisiana rice farmers unloaded trucks of rough rice Friday at the new $60 million IFG export grain terminal at the Port of Lake Charles.

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By Asher Price | asherprice@statesman.com
STATESMAN IN-DEPTH TEXAS TO CUBA

Despite differences in political ideology, Texas rice farmers look to repaired U.S. ties to Cuba as a chance to boost business.
Read the full article here.

President Obama formally announced on Wednesday that the United States and Cuba have both agreed to open embassies in each others capitals following more than a half-century of hostilities between the two nations.

via MercoPress: read more...

In this issue:

• Rice Market Update: USDA Reduces Yields Again, Firm Market Fundamentals Indicate Stronger Prices Ahead?
• US Rice Producers Express Concern for Mexican Market as TPP Negotiations Conclude
• USRPA Applauds Efforts to Strengthen U.S. Rice Exports to Cuba
• USRPA Monitors Review of International Food Aid Programs

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In this issue:

• New Facility at Port of Lake Charles Getting the Attention of Central American Market
• Market Update: First Harvested Fields Show Lower Yields, Quality Concerns
• Congress adjourns for August Recess, notes seven months of progress for Agriculture
• TPP Negotiations in Final Stage

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