Rice requires an aquatic environment to grow and as an aquatic grass acts as a natural buffer strip leaving water cleaner when it exits a field than when it enters the field. We support regulations for safe water quality based on sound science that consider all contributing sources of pollution with the implementation of voluntary best management practices in situations where standards are exceeded. 

To conserve a resource crucial to the production of rice, the industry has worked to support the development and voluntary adoption of efficient irrigation techniques.

We support research and development programs and activities by USDA and the land grant university system to develop improved production and management practices to increase the resource use efficiency of rice production and the voluntary adoption of these practices by growers.

Recent News

  • EPA scientists get a lesson in rice production irrigation from California farmer Mike DeWitt EPA Staff Explores California Rice Country

    Jun 19, 2018

    Last week USA Rice and the California Rice Commission (CRC) hosted five staff from across the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs to experience rice growing and milling in California firsthand. Full story
  • Green Giant billboard with the message "Reimagine Your Rice" Arkansas Ag Committee Discusses Fake Rice, Begins Drafting Resolution

    Dec 06, 2017

    Yesterday, Arkansas Rice Federation Executive Director Lauren Waldrip Ward testified before the Arkansas Joint Senate and House Committee on Agriculture on the industry's concern of a current food trend where vegetables are being "riced" and marketed as a "more healthy" form of rice. Full story
  • GA-Hurricane Harvey Effects-170914 FDA Provides Clarification on Rice in Areas Affected by Hurricane Harvey

    Sep 14, 2017

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement this afternoon to provide much needed guidance to rice farmers whose crops are in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey and Irma. Under the original statement issued by FDA last week, it was unclear whether any crops in those areas would be accepted for use in human or animal food. Full story