Rice industry tackles export problem

Texas

Texas rice producers are encouraged to implement voluntary measures in 2007 in an attempt to regain valuable export markets, according to experts.

Earlier this year, samples of Cheniere variety rice contained trace amounts of genetic material from LL601, a Liberty Link genetically-modified rice that had not been approved for release. Markets reacted negatively to the discovery and led to an embargo of U.S. rice sold to the European Union and some other countries.

"This is a voluntary effort the industry is putting forth," said Dr. Garry McCauley, a research scientist with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. "Not planting or marketing the Cheniere variety is a very feasible way to get our rice back into those export markets again."

At the USA Rice Federation meeting recently in Las Vegas, an outline of recommendations was formulated as part of a strategy to prevent unapproved genetically modified rice from entering the marketplace. For example, seed dealers have agreed not to sell the Cheniere rice variety for planting in 2007.

Texas growers are advised to implement the following practices for the 2007 growing season:

--Purchased rice planting seed must be dealer certified as LL601-trait free.

--Upon first entry to the marketplace at a rice dryer/elevator, the grower must present dealer seed certification and documentation of rice acreage certified to the Farm Service Agency (including the farm serial number).

"All of these documents will be reviewed for completeness at the first place the rice enters the marketing chain," said McCauley, noting major Texas rice mills have agreed to participate in the effort by not purchasing rice that cannot be documented as being planted with LL-trait-free seed.

Growers are advised to carefully clean all planting, harvesting and storage equipment prior to starting the 2007 season, McCauley said.

"If the problem is going to go away, we need to make a good stewardship effort to clean this up," he said.

For more detailed information, rice growers should contact the Texas Cooperative Extension agent in their county, McCauley said.

Date: 12/21/06

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