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

  • IARC Classifies 2, 4-D as Possible Carcinogen

    Jul 06, 2015

    Last week the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) listed the pesticide 2,4-D as a "2B-possible" carcinogen. Full story
  • Adjacent? You tell us WOTUS Revisited

    May 27, 2015

    Late yesterday, USA Rice staff were invited to a meeting with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and others to discuss the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule (now titled the Clean Water Rule). Full story
  • Water Diviner House Kills WOTUS

    May 14, 2015

    On Tuesday night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1732, a bill sponsored by Rep. Shuster (R-PA) that would require the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw their controversial Waters of the U.S. proposed rule (WOTUS). Full story