Congressional Vote on CAFTA-DR Is Right for Rice and U.S. Agriculture

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2005 — House passage of the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) is a positive, long-term step for the U.S. rice industry, USA Rice Federation leadership said today.

“We thank all members of the House of Representatives who voted for passage of this agreement,” USA Rice Chairman Lee Adams said today. “We especially acknowledge the representatives from rice producing states whose votes were critical to the passage of the agreement.”

The following House members from rice districts voted for passage of CAFTA-DR: · Rodney Alexander, R-LA

· John Boozman, R-AR

· Kevin Brady, R-TX

· Tom Delay, R-TX

· John Doolittle, R-CA

· Jo Ann Emerson, R-MO

· Wally Herger, R-CA

· Randy Neugebauer, R-TX

· Charles Pickering, R-MS

· Ted Poe, R-TX

· Vic Snyder, D-AR

· Roger Wicker, R-MS

Their votes represent a collective act of foresight and leadership that will benefit the rice industry and the wider agricultural sector for years to come, USA Rice Federation President and CEO Stuart Proctor said.

Proctor noted that Central American states (including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic constitute one of the top-five regional markets for U.S. rice exports.

“We applaud all members of Congress who voted for the agreement’s passage,” Proctor said, “and let’s not forget members of the Senate who voted earlier for passage. We tip our hats to them all.”

CONTACT: David Coia, (703) 236-1444, dcoia@usarice.com

-30-

USA Rice Federation is the national advocate for all segments of the rice industry, conducting activities to influence government programs, developing and initiating programs to increase worldwide demand for U.S. rice, and providing other services to increase profitability for all industry segments.