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

  • ga-av-1011-receives-epa-registration-crow-160106 AV-1011, Anthraquinone-Based Bird Repellent, Receives EPA Registration for Rice

    Jan 06, 2016

    This week, in a positive development for the U.S. rice industry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that some underlying issues with the bird repellent Anthraquinone have been resolved, clearing the way for the agency to issue a two-year Section 3 registration for use on rice. Full story
  • Hitchcock's-The-Birds-151027 Rice States Must Begin Section 18 Emergency Exemption Requests for AV-1011

    Oct 29, 2015

    Departments of agriculture in states with rice producers affected by bird consumption of rice seed need to begin applying for Section 18 Emergency Exemption Requests for AV-1011 (anthraquinone) bird repellent as soon as possible in order to have approvals from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a timely fashion. Section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizes EPA to allow an unregistered use of a pesticide for a limited time if EPA determines that an emergency condition exists. Full story
  • GA-Court Rules Nationwide Stay on WOTUS-151009 Court Rules Nationwide Stay on WOTUS

    Oct 09, 2015

    This morning, by a 2-1 vote, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule nationwide, until it determines whether it has jurisdiction over the petitions for review. Full story