USA Rice members passing the DC Rice Bar
May 03, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC – This week, industry leaders representing the rice farmer, merchant, and milling sectors traveled here to meet with Washington trade experts and advocate for leveling the global playing field on trade. USA Rice members also shared industry priorities for the next Farm Bill during talks with legislators on Capitol Hill.
The fly-in focused on the Biden Administration’s trade agenda; the current state of the World Trade Organization (WTO); challenges with domestic rail transportation; food aid during a time of war; interagency discussions about the financing situation in Iraq; food safety and pesticide regulatory issues; and advocacy for USDA trade promotion and market development programs.
In addition to the trade-focused presentations with the private sector and Administration officials, USA Rice also held several targeted meetings with staff from the Senate Finance and Agriculture Committees, House Ways and Means and Agriculture Committees, and a number of other Congressional offices.
“We appreciate the speakers who shared unique perspectives on the WTO landscape and the prospects of a U.S. dispute resolution with India,” said Karah Fissel, USA Rice director of international trade policy. “Our discussions with Senate and House trade and agriculture experts provided an opportunity to continue shedding light on the challenges facing the U.S. rice industry and to advocate for much needed improvements in international trade, including market access and holding countries like India accountable, as well as within the Farm Bill.”