International Trade, Washington Update to Headline 107th RMA Convention June 19

ARLINGTON, VA, June 6, 2006 — International trade issues will lead off the 107th USA Rice Millers’ Association (RMA) Convention’s business program on Monday, June 19, with a keynote address from Richard T. Crowder, chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Amb. Crowder has responsibility for all U.S. agricultural trade negotiations anywhere in the world, including multilateral negotiations in the World Trade Organization, as well as regional and bilateral negotiations. His presentation in light of current events will offer timely insight to attendees.

Federation of European Rice Millers Chairman Ernesto José R. Morgado, also slated to speak at the June 19 general session, will discuss international rice trade and issues of mutual interest for U.S. and European rice millers. Europe is one of the largest markets for U.S. long-grain rice.

A Washington update by Reece Langley, senior director of government affairs for the USA Rice Federation, will also cover timely issues including the farm bill debate, agriculture disaster assistance and agriculture appropriations.

See http://www.usarice.com/industry/meetings/hotel_annual.html for more information on convention registration, the trade show or sponsorship opportunities, or call (703) 236-1447 or 236-1472.

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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.

Contacts:

Trish Alderson, (703) 236-1472

David Coia, (703) 236-1444