USA Rice Congratulates Ambassadors Portman and Schwab

ARLINGTON, VA, April 20, 2006 — The USA Rice Federation offers its congratulations to Susan Schwab on her nomination by President Bush Tuesday to replace her boss, Rob Portman, as the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) — a key position for the economic health of U.S. rice.

“We congratulate Ambassador Schwab for her new appointment, and look forward to a continuing strong relationship with USTR under her leadership,” USA Rice President and CEO Stuart Proctor said today. “USTR staff have been of tremendous help in gaining increased access for U.S. rice in foreign markets.”

“We also offer our thanks to Ambassador Portman for his efforts on behalf of the rice industry,” Proctor said. Portman moves to the Office of Management and Budget in the current White House Cabinet shake up.

“This is a time of uncertainty in global agricultural trade” Proctor said, “and we are looking to USTR for its continued leadership in opening foreign markets. We want to work closely with Ambassador Schwab and her staff to promote the interests of U.S. rice producers and exporters.”

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Contacts: Bob Cummings, (703) 236-1473, rcummings@usarice.com and David Coia, (703) 236-1444, dcoia@usarice.com

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.