USA Rice Federation Supports Biotechnology Industry’s Stewardship Initiative

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2007 — Contact: Bob Cummings, (703) 236-1473, rcummings@usarice.com

Steve Hensley, (703) 236-1445, shensley@usarice.com

The USA Rice Federation today commended the biotechnology industry’s new quality management program for agriculture biotechnology.

“Today’s announcement of a product life cycle stewardship program is a welcomed step in the right direction,” said Al Montna, USA Rice Federation chairman and rice producer from Yuba City, CA. “We fully support the plan of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.

“Biotechnology holds promise for rice farmers, but only when this technology has received full regulatory approval in the United States and export markets and consumer acceptance. The stewardship plan announced today reinforces the necessity for biotechnology providers to obtain widespread regulatory approval before putting their products on the commercial market. We will continue to work with the biotechnology industry on the equal importance of consumer acceptance prior to product launch,” Montna said.

“The U.S. rice industry is still working to restore the international competitiveness and marketability of U.S. long-grain rice following the inadvertent release of a regulated genetic event into the commercial supply nearly one year ago,” said Brian King, chairman of USA Rice’s Biotechnology Task force and a rice merchant from Marked Tree, AR. “Today’s announcement shows industry recognition of the critical importance of a detailed, hands-on stewardship program for the entire biotechnology chain,” King said.

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The USA Rice Federation is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of producers, millers, merchants and allied businesses.