In this issue:
In this issue:
In this issue:
In this issue:
In this issue:
In this issue:
In this issue:
In this issue:
Texas Rice Council held their regular October planning meeting in Houston this week with Tommy Turner of El Campo presiding as President of the organization. Rice farmers from the various counties of the Texas rice region participated and commented on their harvest results and conditions. Of particular concern to everyone was the lack of market demand for rice and the lack of storage available with the second crop harvest approaching. A lengthy discussion followed related to an on-going Texas rice industry sustainability project effort. Hopefully, the results of this project will be available for January 16, 2019, Texas Rice Council/Western Rice Belt Conference that will take place in El Campo.
Several board members commented on their recent trip to Guatemala, an important rice market for the U.S. Tommy Turner, Galen Franz (Victoria), Scott Savage (Bay City), Casey Smith (Hitchcock) and Trey Barker (Katy) traveled to Guatemala to observe rice promotional efforts conducted through a joint agreement of the USRPA and the Guatemala Rice Council (ArrozGua). The group also visited the farm of Alvaro Padilla and the ALCSA rice mill in addition to meetings with other leaders of the Guatemala rice industry. The Texas farmers also visited Todd Drennan and Sean Cox of the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service in the US Embassy. Dr. Thomas Wynn and Dennis DeLaughter gave a World/US/Texas marketing report that as usual, generated considerable discussion among the farmers on the board. The group reviewed by-laws, the board election process and a financial report was given among other administrative issues.
The new trilateral trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada (USCMA) takes a very forward-looking approach to support agricultural innovation. A new Agricultural Biotechnology Section confirms “the importance of encouraging agricultural innovation and facilitating trade in products of agricultural biotechnology, while fulfilling legitimate objectives, many are pointing to the biotechnology provisions as a key achievement for agriculture that will serve as a model for future trade agreements. “The USMCA sets important new standards for U.S. trade policy by ensuring trading partners establish policies that protect, respect, and advance the hard work and investment needed to bring new biotechnology innovations from the lab to the marketplace,” said the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).
The agricultural biotechnology section aims to minimize trade disruptions. The agreement lays out a path for how to cut down approval time for new biotech traits and deal with imports of genetically modified crops that have not been approved, so-called “low-level presence occurrences.” The section also includes the establishment of a Working Group for Cooperation on Agricultural Biotechnology. The Working Group will provide a forum for Parties to exchange information, discuss any policy and trade-related matters, and work to advance trade policies and science and risk-based regulatory approaches with other countries and international organizations. These provisions are expected to facilitate innovation and ultimately approval of future technologies.
Looking forward to ratification, there is a possibility that government leaders will sign the Agreement at the upcoming G20 Summit in November. After signing, the government leaders will submit USMCA to the various legislatures for ratification. Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) determines how quickly a U.S. Congressional vote on the agreement could happen. At least 30 days prior to the introduction of implementing legislation, the President must submit to Congress the final agreement text and draft Statement of Administrative Action. 105 days after signing, the International Trade Commission submits a related report to Congress. These requirements assist Congress in its consideration of whether USMCA meets TPA’s negotiating objectives. U.S. lawmakers have also stated they will be looking at the impact of USCMA on trade liberalization as well as the domestic manufacturing sector.
25722 Kingsland Blvd., Ste. 203, Katy, Texas 77494
Phone: 713-974-7423
USRPA does not discriminate in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, or marital/family status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of information (such as Braille, large print, American sign language, language translation, etc.) should contact USRPA at 713-974-7423. EEO.
