Rice requires an aquatic environment to grow and as an aquatic grass acts as a natural buffer strip leaving water cleaner when it exits a field than when it enters the field. We support regulations for safe water quality based on sound science that consider all contributing sources of pollution with the implementation of voluntary best management practices in situations where standards are exceeded. 

To conserve a resource crucial to the production of rice, the industry has worked to support the development and voluntary adoption of efficient irrigation techniques.

We support research and development programs and activities by USDA and the land grant university system to develop improved production and management practices to increase the resource use efficiency of rice production and the voluntary adoption of these practices by growers.

Recent News

  • ga-killer-bees-on-tumblr-160201 EPA Update: What’s Best for Pests

    Feb 01, 2016

    Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their 2014 review of pesticide residue levels on produce, grain, salmon, and infant formula, and found that 99 percent of the samples had residue levels below the EPA limit. A total of 314 rice samples were taken and none contained residues over the legally established tolerance limit. View the full report here. Full story
  • cuban-cars-for-2016-ppt Financing for Cuba Trade OK’d, Ag Left Out

    Jan 28, 2016

    This week, the Obama administration announced a new Treasury rule that authorizes additional U.S. exports to Cuba and permits the private financing of these exports in an effort to strengthen trade relations not controlled by the Cuban government. In a joint announcement with the Secretary of the Treasury, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said the changes are designed to “strengthen civil society” in Cuba. Full story
  • ga-av-1011-receives-epa-registration-crow-160106 AV-1011, Anthraquinone-Based Bird Repellent, Receives EPA Registration for Rice

    Jan 06, 2016

    This week, in a positive development for the U.S. rice industry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that some underlying issues with the bird repellent Anthraquinone have been resolved, clearing the way for the agency to issue a two-year Section 3 registration for use on rice. Full story