USA Rice Federation Applauds CAFTA Signing

Washington, D.C., May 28, 2004 — Today’s signing of the Central American Free Trade Agreement is a big step forward for trade, according to the USA Rice Federation, a strong proponent of CAFTA. USA Rice praised the agreement, citing market access benefits for rough and milled rice.

“On behalf of USA Rice’s producer and miller membership, I want to commend President Bush, U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman for working so diligently to see CAFTA through,” said USA Rice Chairman Gary Sebree. “From the beginning, USA Rice has supported the administration’s efforts and we are glad to see this day arrive. We now urge Congress to ratify CAFTA in a timely manner.”

Sebree said the agreement preserves a substantial existing market for U.S. rice and offers new opportunities for expansion in the countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

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 industry profitability for all industry segments

Contact: Patricia Alderson, (703) 236-1472, talderson@usarice.com