19th november,2014 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine www.ricepluss.com

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter 19 November, 2014

Volume 4 Issue: XI

th

Vol 4, Issue XI

Today’s News Headlines…                

Australia and China: Free and Friendly Trade Thailand Tallies Billions in Rice Program Losses Govt cooperates with traders to boost Hom Mali market in Hong Kong Pakistan government to provide subsidy to Basmati rice growers Guyana declares rice surplus, searches for new markets New markets on agenda of World Rice Conference Congress promises free TV sets and rice in Jharkhand poll manifesto State move to boost paddy power Lamb shanks reveal a softer, subtler side Producers Rice Mill's Sebree Retires After 43 Years of Service Louisiana Ag Commissioner Expresses Concern Over Iraqi Rice Tender Conaway Named Next House Ag Committee Chair Japan Announces 7th Ordinary Import Tender in FY 2014 AARQ Association for the Administration of Rice Quotas, Inc. CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine News Detail….

Australia and China: Free and Friendly Trade Australia and China have announced a comprehensive free trade agreement.

By Helen Clark November 19, 2014

After ten years of negotiations, Australia and China have agreed to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Announced Monday and signed by Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb and Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng, it leavened a G20 that many (perhaps most notably the LA Times, in an article that got wide play in Australia) said had left Australia in a poor, or at least weak, light.

This is the third major FTA between Australia and a major Asian economy this year, the other two being Japan and Korea.

The Coalition is, of course, proud of its efforts. In fact, even before the FTA had gone ahead government ministers were announcing a separate ―billion dollar‖ live cattle deal with China.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne told Channel Nine at the time, ―This is the kind of thing that happens when you have a government that’s focused on economic outcomes… So we have a Free Trade Agreement with Japan, Free Trade Agreement with South Korea, working on one with China.‖Great friendship between two nations planning on making each other even richer was the exuberant tone of most politicians discussing the deal – which may be worth up to AUD18 billion ($15.6 billion) over the next few years for Australia – and all previous skepticism regarding China and its investment into Australia suddenly forgotten by Coalition politicians

explaining it to the media (which they had to as details will not fully be released until next year, after it is formally signed).Obviously, the government deserves a pat on the back.

And why not, as most have pointed out that Australia should do very well out of the deal. Briefly: Tariffs on beef will be gone in the next nine years and tariffs on dairy phased out over four to 11 years. Tariffs on Australian wine will disappear over four years (it is currently 14 to 30 percent). China imported some AUD9 billion worth of Australian agricultural goods last year.

The resources sector will benefit, with the removal of tariffs on all energy products and on pharmaceuticals over four years. The services sector is also expected to do well: tourism, education and elderly care services from Australia can now more easily be set up in China. Ultimately 95 percent of Australian exports to China will be tariff free within the next decade or so.The evergreen promise of China’s ―growing middle class‖ will, it is hoped, benefit food and wine markets, whilst a reported relaxation of the One Child laws may be useful for the dairy sector, powdered formula especially.

It is dearly hoped Australia may be able to better compete with New Zealand’s dairy exports to China, which grew tenfold in the six years following the 2008 FTA it signed with China. The deal may benefit Australian consumers also, with cheaper goods.Are there downsides? There has been no agreement on a deal for certain agricultural products such as Australian rice, wheat, sugar, cotton and oilseed.

China is now allowed to send its skilled labor to Australia to work on ―major‖

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine projects (the definition of ―major‖ has apparently been downgraded from AUD2 billion to a more minor AUD150 million), which has prompted some inevitable angst.

Trade Minister Andrew Robb has reassured critics it would not be at the expense of Australian jobs, though critics have pointed to China’s history of sending its workers to Africa and Asia to work on projects (though comparing Australia’s labor market and laws to those of Papua New Guinea, Africa or Laos is not entirely useful).

Senator Penny Wong, the Opposition trade spokeswoman, has been broadly positive about the agreement and indeed anything that frees up trade, but has criticized the opacity: a full copy will not be ready for parliamentary review until possibly next year. Wong is also critical of Australia’s continued piecemeal limiting of foreign investment in Australia, ―It’s inconceivable that we can scale up our agricultural industries without foreign investment. Why is it in our interest to make it more difficult for investors to invest here?‖ she told the national broadcaster ABC radio.

Chinese investment increased by a very large 41.2 percent last year but is, overall, very low at some 1.3 percent of the total stock of foreign investment in Australia, or just AUD31.9 billion. The government will screen Chinese investments in agribusiness over AUD53 million and will screen all state-owned enterprise investment. Chinese SOE investment in Australia has been a concern for some time given allegations of corruption and their opaque nature. Private Chinese business will not face such hurdles.

Property purchases will, according to Australian news, not be under any especial review or scrutiny despite ongoing and very public concerns over Chinese purchases of much Australian property that have, some

critics allege, verged on xenophobic in their worries of rich Chinese forcing up the market.

The wide ranging FTA, the most comprehensive China has signed with any developed nation according to Mr. Robb, is not a static thing but will apparently evolve and improve over time. The FTA is, without question, going to benefit many in both nations.

However it might be worth remembering a Foreign Affairs article from just over a year ago by Professor Hugh White at the Australian National University in Canberra.

A regular contributor to the Lowy Interpreter, White pointed out the broad gap between Australia’s views of China strategically and economically and the balance it needs to find between its commitments to a U.S. alliance (with the relatively recent base opening in Darwin, which deeply upset Beijing) and its reliance on trade with China, already its biggest trading partner, ―In fact, most everyone in Australia wants both relationships to flourish, so that the United States can keep Australians safe while China makes them rich.‖ After all, as we reported last week, Australia’s ―strategic‖ concerns regarding China are so strong that it decided against joining the new Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank only the other week. In this context possibly President Xi Jinping’s comments on the FTA were apposite, ―As the Chinese saying goes it takes 10 years to sharpen a sword, so we are very glad to see

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine that after nearly 10 years of negotiation our two sides have announced this substantive conclusion to the bilateral FTA negotiation.‖Helen Clark was based in Hanoi for six years as a reporter and magazine editor. She has written for two dozen publications including The Diplomat (as Bridget O’Flaherty), Time, The Economist, the Asia Times Online and the Australian Associated Press.

2011 national polls.The plan promised farmers a fixed, above-market price for their rice crop. Authorities hoped it would give them greater control over Thailand’s rice export, and lead them to consolidate the country’s position as the world’s biggest rice exporter.But regional rice producing countries such as India, Vietnam and Myanmar, increased their harvests and sold more exports on the open market, better meeting demand than they had in years past.

Losses, unsold rice

Thailand Tallies Billions in Rice Program Losses A farmer works in his rice field in Nakhonsawan province.

The Thai government has offered 2 million tonnes of rice and 200,000 tons of rubber to China, the commerce minister said on Friday, as the government attempts to sell off stockpiles that are hanging over global markets and pushing down prices, Nov. 14, 2014.

Ron Corben November 19, 2014 7:57 AM

BANGKOK — Thailand’s former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra remains under legal scrutiny for failing to stop massive losses and corruption in the country’s controversial rice price support scheme. The Thai Finance Ministry estimates that the country has spent more than $21 billion to support rice price programs by various governments over the past decade.

The government-backed rice price support scheme launched by Yingluck and her Pheu Thai Party proved an election winner at the

That meant the Thai rice went unsold and payments to farmers were delayed. The government began stockpiling the unsold rice, which authorities now estimate at 19 million metric tons.Viroj na Ranong, an economist with the independent think-tank Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) said the losses estimated by the Finance Ministry could rise as the military government sets about attempting to clear the enormous rice stockpile.

"In fact, the bad thing was not only the Pheu Thai Government was incompetent to sell its rice, my expectation is that most of the rice will sit there for a long time and well before the military would be able to do something with it," Viroj na Ranong said.The Thai Ministry of Finance estimates the losses from the rice scheme under Yingluck’s government total more than $16 billion. All told, the Ministry said, similar programs dating back to 2004 led to total losses in excess of $21 billion.

Corruption cited as one reason for failure Critics of the rice program say it also lost enormous funds through corruption.

Members of Yinglucks party insist the program’s main beneficiaries were Thailand’s rice farmers.But the opposition Democrat Party published detailed reports

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine on the rice scheme, based on information supplies by bureaucrats and officials in government ministries and state-owned banks.Warong Dechgitvigrom, a member of the Democrat Party, said the corruption required the involvement of rice millers, government-owned banks as well as official surveyors sent to assess rice quality.

Overseas sales on a government-togovernment (or G to G) basis were also questionable."The surveyor is also corrupt.

This is why bad quality rice, yellow rice, or rice from Cambodia or Myanmar, are sent to the stockpile [warehouse]. And finally when the government sell the rice they are also corrupt - G to G - its fake," stated Warong.

"It's not the real thing."

Former leader face charges Yingluck, who chaired a committee overseeing the rice program, faces charges of negligence and is due to appear before the National Assembly on November 28. If impeached, she would be barred from politics for five years.Economist Viroj said the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) moves to target former leader Yingluck appears "political" based on weak charges of her position as chair of the national rice program she should be held accountable.But Warong Dechgitvigrom, a member of the Democrat Party, said the legal moves against Yingluck could succeed, in part because many rice farmers grew angry by delayed payments.

"I believe the impeachment will be successful and the criminal high [Supreme] Court finally I believe also a success. Both ways," he said.

"The poor also agree with the Court - the politician must take responsibility for the corruption and about the impeachment and the criminal [acts]."Private rice exporters remain confident Thailand will recover its position as the world's largest rice exporter in the coming year.Rice industry executives predict Thailand will ship around 10 to 12 million metric tons

of rice in 2014, in line with India's 10 million tons.

Govt cooperates with traders to boost Hom Mali market in Hong Kong Petchanet Pratruangkrai The Nation November 19, 2014 1:00 am The Commerce Ministry has joined forces with Thai rice exporters and 40 Hong Kong importers to regain market share for Thai Hom Mali rice (jasmine rice) in Hong Kong, a major market.

After a meeting involving ministry officials, Thai rice traders, and 40 Hong Kong importers in Bangkok, Deputy Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said Thailand and Hong Kong had agreed to continue their trade and increase orders for Hom Mali rice.

They said the price of Thai jasmine rice had become more competitive."The traders agreed that Thailand still has a chance to regain market share for Hom Mali rice as the price is now more competitive and Hong Kong buyers have high faith in the quality of Thai rice," Apiradi said.

To regain market share for Thai rice, Hong Kong importers have suggested that the Thai government boost confidence in Hom Mali rice by having the certification logo in the Chinese language as well. Currently, the logo is only in English.Hong Kong rice traders have also encouraged Thai rice traders to join an international food exhibition in that city next year.Apiradi said the government would continue to boost consumption of Thai rice by reaching out to end consumers, and would try to support hotels and restaurants that have a huge stock of Thai rice to serve their diners.Since 2008, when Thailand monopolised 91 per cent of the Hong Kong market for imported fragrant rice, its share has plummeted to about 40 per

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine cent because of high prices."Thai Hom Mali rice should regain its piece of the pie soon, thanks to close cooperation among the Thai government, Thai exporters and Hong Kong rice traders," she said.

According to the Customs Department, shipment of Thai Hom Mali rice to Hong Kong dropped 4.56 per cent during the first nine months of the year to 101,777 tonnes, from 106,642 tonnes last year.Apiradi said Thailand should be able to ship the fourth lot of rice under its 1-million-tonne contract with mainland China next month. This shipment will include some Hom Mali rice from the 2014-15 main crop.Witt Maneenetr, the trade attache at the Thai Trade Office in Hong Kong, said Thailand's share of the jasmine-rice market in that city was expected to increase by 2 per cent next year.Hong Kong traders visited Thai rice fields for the first time in a decade so that they could have more confidence in Thai rice farming and production.

A source from the Thai Rice Exporters Association said it planned to encourage Hong Kong traders to deal with more Thai rice by setting up a fund and providing a premium fee to traders with the highest volume.The idea will be discussed again before deciding whether to implement it.

Pakistan government to provide subsidy to Basmati rice growers

By Press Trust of India @indiacom | November 19, 2014 7:57 PM Tags: Basmati rice, Nawaz Shaif, Pakistan

Islamabad, Nov 19 : In a relief to Basmati rice- growers in Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Shariftoday said the government will provide

subsidy to farmers following sliding global prices.

He was chairing a meeting regarding procurement of Basmati rice at the Prime Minister’s House here. According to a government statement, Sharif expressed concern over the sliding Basmati rice price due to international factors.―(He) directed the Ministries of Finance and Food Security to submit a proposal for providing support to the grower by providing suitable subsidy,‖ it said. Sharif asked the Ministry of Food Security to consult provincial governments and develop a system so that direct benefit of the subsidy goes to the peasants and not the middleman.

The Prime Minister directed the ministries to come up with a plan within six weeks through which cost of agricultural inputs can be brought down to make farmers comfortable in the local market and competitive in the international market. He also directed them to submit a proposal regarding provision of solar panels and soft loans for installation of tube-wells for agriculture sector.

Pakistan and India are major Basmati exporters.

Modified Date: November 19, 2014 7:57 PM

Guyana declares rice surplus, searches for new markets Published November 19, 2014 Associated Press GEORGETOWN, GUYANA

The South American country of Guyana is reporting a record rice harvest and is seeking new markets for its surplus.The general manager of the Rice Development Board says farmers have produced nearly 627,000 metric tons (691,000 tons) of rice this year. Jagnarine Singh said Wednesday the amount is nearly 100,000 metric tons (110,200 tons) more –

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine compared with last year.He said the increase is a result of farmers improving their yields per acre.Singh said officials are seeking to tap further into the U.S. and European Union markets, where buyers already have asked for samples.Venezuela, Nicaragua and Panama are among the top current buyers.

New markets on agenda of World Rice Conference Wed, 19 November 2014

May Kunmakara The second Cambodia Rice Festival was held yesterday in Phnom Penh aiming to promote the Kingdom’s rice sector to international buyers.The rice festival was held on the eve of the sixth World Rice Conference, which started today at the Sofitel hotel.

Up to 600 local and foreign sellers, buyers, millers, exporters and farmers from up to 40 countries including rice-producing nations such as Thailand, India, Vietnam, the Philippines and Myanmar are expected to attend the two-day event.―Today’s rice forum will play a very important role in helping local and international participants to clearly understand the profiles and quality of Cambodia’s rice sector,‖ said Sok Puthyvuth, president of Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) at yesterday’s the opening.―But in order to promote our exports we first need to iron out some challenges such as quality seeds, technique, logistics, financing, warehousing and markets. ‖Opening up new export markets to meet the government’s rice export goal of one million tonnes per year was critical to the industry’s success, Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol said yesterday.―We have been trying to seek more markets for our milled rice,‖ Chanthol said, citing the Chinese government’s July

pledge to import 100,000 tonnes of Cambodian rice per year.―I will [also] travel to Kuwait and other countries next week to open the new markets in the Middle East.

We will also seek more markets besides the EU, such as Africa,‖ Chanthol went on to say.

Cambodia exported 269,000 tonnes of milled rice to 57 countries during the first nine months of this year, up just 1.2 per cent compared to the same period last year.About 80 per cent of the Kingdom’s rice is sent to European nations under the EU’s Everything But Arms duty-free arrangement.―Of course, we do thank the EU for giving us more ability to export more and more,‖ Chanthol said. ―But, we need to expand our markets even more – we cannot put all our eggs in one basket. We need to seek markets other than Europe in order to promote our exports and lift our milled-rice prices and subsequently the living standards of our farmers.‖The World’s Best Rice awards, of which Cambodia is the reigning winner, will be decided as part of the World Rice Conference on Thursday.

Contact author: May Kunmakara

Congress promises free TV sets and rice in Jharkhand poll manifesto PTI | Nov 19, 2014, 05.14 PM IST RANCHI: The Congress on Wednesday promised to provide 35kg rice free of cost to people not in the Income Tax category and free TV sets to BPL families if it came to power in Jharkhand ahead of the five-phase polls beginning on November 25. "People who are not in the IT category will be given 35kg rice every month and TV sets to BPL families to make them aware of happenings

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine around the world," Congress leader and former Union minister Subodh Kant Sahai said at a press conference after releasing the party's poll manifesto.

AICC leader BK Hariprasad, Jharkhand finance minister Rajendra Prasad Singh, PCC president Sukhdeo Bhagat, former MP Furkan Ansari and several other leaders were present on the occasion. With an aim to bring political stability in the state, the manifesto promises to initiate steps to increase the present Jharkhand assembly strength from 81 to 140 seats and setting up of a legislative council to accommodate educationists and intellectuals. To deal with the Maoist problem in Jharkhand, the Congress said if voted to power, it would initiate dialogue with the left wing extremists, besides taking strong steps in dealing with the problem.

The manifesto also focuses on rehabilitation in a time-bound manner of those residing in the Jharia coal belt where underground fire has been raging for several decades, threatening the residents. Promising to shift the headquarters of Steel Authority of India Limited, Coal India Limited and Damodar Valley Corporation to Jharkhand, the manifesto vowed to impart skill training to one crore youth to make them fit for employment. It also promised to give Rs 50,000 as seed money after setting up selfhelp groups comprising 50 women in every village.

State move to boost paddy power TNN | Nov 19, 2014, 09.55AM IST BHUBANESWAR: Even though Odisha is among the top paddy producing states in India, the state has failed to capitalize on the investment potential in the rice sector. "The

focus is more on non-mineral sectors like food processing. Rice millers must come forward with advance technology and modern warehousing to produce quality rice," said chief secretary Gokul Chandra Pati, adding, the state government is providing up to 30% subsidy to investors in the agriculture sector.

He was speaking at a workshop on investment opportunities in rice sector jointly organized by the department of MSME, National Mission for Food Processing and International Finance Corporation here on Tuesday.Sources said Odisha produces over 7.58 million tonne (MT) of rice a year while in 2013 the state contributed 7.5% of the total rice produced in the country.

Although productivity in Odisha has increased from 1.45 MT a hectare in 200405 to around two MT a hectare in 2013, still the state lags behind other major riceproducing states.Over 40% of the total paddy produced in Odisha is exported to neighbouring states due to lack of processing units and mills. By promoting private milling, it could be processed in the state and cater to the state's private market," said representative of All Odisha Rice Millers' Association S K Agrawal. There are about 1,250 rice mills in the state.After milling, Odisha produces about 12 lakh metric tonne of husk which has the potential to generate close to 200 MW power.

Similarly, the market for rice bran oil is growing at 20% to 25% a year."Industries are falling sick because they are not taking benefit of government schemes and other financial institutes. Though we tried to create awareness among entrepreneurs about subsidy and other schemes, the response is not very encouraging," said MSME secretary Panchanan Dash.He said the state government is providing 25% of the project

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine cost subject to a limit of Rs 2 crore and subsidy up to 33% of project cost subject to limit of Rs 3 crore for units promoted by women, SC&ST entrepreneurs and units in Kalahandi, Balangir, and Koraput.

Lamb shanks reveal a softer, subtler side Long braising of lamb shanks reveals a softer, subtler side

festive food served for holidays makes me hungry.

My friend Andy Baraghani, a talented local chef, has taught me that Persian cuisine, though it uses lots of spices, is never overspiced, and the use of hot pepper is rare.

Fresh, light and healthy is an accurate description. A meal always has an accompaniment of green herbs of all sorts – basil, parsley, dill, cilantro, tarragon, garden cress, mint, fenugreek sprigs and chives, along with scallions and radishes.

He tells me that his father, who prefers to have his main meal of the day in the afternoon, has just tea and a platter of herbs in the evening.Rice, a basmati type, is also a permanent presence, whether served on the side or as part of a dish. On any given day, it may be plain buttered rice, but it is often stained yellow with a drizzle of saffron water.

Rare-grilled lamb chops or a roasted leg of lamb can be delightful and are easy to cook if you’re in a hurry. But with a little planning, you’ll find it’s the shank of the lamb that deserves the most praise. Careful, slow simmering will coax lamb shanks to a flavorful succulence far superior to other cuts.Long braising shows off the lovely silky, almost-sticky texture that is their trademark.Lamb shanks are versatile, too, easily adaptable to recipes from many different cuisines.

Employing a heady Persian spice mixture, for instance, makes a lamb shank braise that is complex and nuanced. The flavors are balanced, with subtle hints of orange, lime, saffron, cinnamon and dried rosebuds.I’m lucky to count some Iranian-Americans among my circle of friends and acquaintances. very one of them is a passionate cook, and when they talk about Persian food, they seem to glow with excitement. Listening to them reminisce about food from their childhoods and the

Or it is embellished with the traditional crisp buttery bottom called tahdig. For the method, you can consult my recipe for Persian jeweled rice, made with dried fruits.Sweet spiced aromas waft through my kitchen as my lamb shanks simmer in the oven. I’m nibbling pistachios and sipping cool water flavored with a few drops of rosewater.

There’s a basket of pomegranates, oranges and limes on the table. I’ll sit here for a while, anticipating a fine dinner with a Persian accent.

Persian-Spiced Lamb Shanks 4 meaty lamb shanks (ask for the hind shanks), about 4a to 5 pounds Salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1 teaspoon ground rosebuds, optional 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon turmeric Vegetable oil

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine f teaspoon crumbled saffron Juice of 2 limes, about 4 tablespoons 3 teaspoons rosewater, available from Middle Eastern grocery shops 1 large onion, roughly chopped a teaspoon ground dried lime, or the zest of 1 fresh lime Zest of 1 orange, plus 1 tablespoon more for garnish A few thyme sprigs 2 fresh bay leaves 6 cups hot chicken broth or water 2 tablespoons roughly chopped parsley, for garnish 2 tablespoons roughly chopped mint or dill, for garnish Trim any excess fat from lamb shanks and season generously with salt.

Mix together the cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, rosebuds (if using), black pepper and turmeric. Sprinkle evenly over shanks and rub into meat. Let sit at room temperature at least an hour, or wrap and refrigerate overnight, then bring to room temperature.Place a Dutch oven or deep, heavy pot over medium-high heat and add oil to a depth of ½ inch.

When oil is hot, add two lamb shanks and fry until nicely browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside, then brown the two remaining shanks.Meanwhile, put saffron in a small bowl with lime juice, 2 teaspoons rosewater and ½ cup warm water.

Let steep for 10 minutes. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Carefully remove all but 2 tablespoons oil from Dutch oven. Add chopped onion and cook over medium heat until softened and lightly colored, 8 to 10 minutes. Season onion with salt, then add lime zest, orange zest, thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Stir in saffron mixture. Lay in the lamb shanks and add the broth. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat and cover pot.Transfer pot to oven and bake for about 1½ hours, covered, until meat is tender when probed and beginning to fall

from the bone. Remove lamb shanks to a deep serving dish and keep warm. Strain braising juices through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing with a wooden spoon to obtain all the liquid (discard thyme, bay leaves and onions).

Skim fat, then taste and add salt if necessary.

Add 1 more teaspoon rosewater, if desired.

Reheat strained juices and pour over lamb shanks. Combine parsley, mint and reserved orange zest and sprinkle over top.Use a large spoon to break the tender shank meat into large chunks. Serve in low, wide soup plates, giving each portion a spoonful of the juices.

Accompany with steamed basmati rice, lavash flatbread or a loaf of crusty French bread.

Note: Some brands of rosewater are more strongly perfumed than others. Use sparingly at first, then add more to taste.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Producers Rice Mill's Sebree Retires After 43 Years of Service Board Vice Chairman Jerry Hoskyn (l) presents a plaque to Gary Sebree.

STUTTGART, AR -Producers Rice Mill honored Gary Sebree at the company's 71st Annual Membership Meeting on November 6. Sebree, who retired from the board of directors after 43 years of service, was recognized for his leadership in a video tribute played before

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine 400 members and guests.

State Representative David Hillman read a letter from Governor Beebe and presented Sebree with a citation from the Arkansas House of Representatives. The USA Rice Federation extends congratulations to Gary Sebree. A dedicated industry leader, Sebree is a past chairman of the USA Rice Federation, USA Rice Producers' Group and the Rice Foundation, and has served on a number of USA Rice committees.

Louisiana Ag Commissioner Expresses Concern Over Iraqi Rice Tender

Strain keeping the pressure on BATON ROUGE, LA -- Mike Strain, Louisiana's Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, added his voice to the chorus of lawmakers pressing for answers from the government of Iraq on a recent rice tender awarded to Brazil and Uruguay at prices at least $23 per metric ton higher than the U.S. bid.In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, Strain said: "Buying higher priced rice from other countries in the absence of technical or quality issues is not only hurtful to our farmers and industry, but also hinders the long term relationship between the U.S. and Iraq..."

"No doubt Commissioner Strain is hearing from the rice farmers in his state about this situation," said Betsy Ward, president and CEO of the USA Rice Federation.

"Representatives from the Iraqi Grain Board

visited Delta rice country last spring and, at that time, expressed confidence in the U.S. crop and said Iraqi consumers always asked for American origin rice. Like the rest of us, Commissioner Strain wants to understand what's happening here, and we appreciate him weighing in."Iraq's latest rice tender, for at least 30,000 metric tons, closed this weekend with bids from the U.S. Results are anticipated later this week.

Contact: Randy Jemison (337) 738-7009

Conaway Named Next House Ag Committee Chair Conaway (l) friend to US rice WASHINGTON, DC -Yesterday, Representative Mike Conaway (R-TX) was tapped as the 50th chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

In a statement following the announcement , Conaway emphasized the need to work across party lines saying, "I look forward to building on the bipartisan work of the chairmen who have led this committee for the past two centuries."Conaway hopes to begin the term with an update from Secretary Vilsack on Farm Bill implementation.

"USA Rice has a strong history with Representative Conaway," said Ben Mosely, vice president of Government Affairs for the USA Rice Federation. "We are committed to working with the new Chairman and his staff, as well as other members of the committee to represent the rice industry in Washington."

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Contact: Lydia Holmes (703) 236-1440

Japan Announces 7th Ordinary Import Tender in FY 2014 Announcement: Tender: Offer details: Country Specified or Global Thailand Global Tender

18 November 2014 21 November 2014 40,247 mt Non-glutinous milled rice (medium grain)

24,000 24,000

Non-glutinous milled rice (long grain)

Glutinous milled rice (long grain)

TOTAL

3,247

3,247 37,000 40,247

13,000 13,000

3,247

Shipping period: Global Tender Medium Grain: From 10 January 2015 to 10 February 2015 Global Tender Long Grain: From 1 January 2015 to 10 February 2015 Glutinous milled rice (Thailand) is shipped by container

AARQ Association for the Administration of Rice Quotas, Inc. NOTICE OF OPEN TENDER Independent bids are invited for rights to ship U.S.-origin milled rice to the European Union under a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) granted by the EU to the United States.

Bids must be submitted on November 20, 2014 for the January 2015 TRQ Tranche, in which the following quantity is available: Volume (metric tons) EU Duty Semi-Milled or Milled Rice (HTS item 1006.30)

9,681

zero

TRQ Certificates will be awarded to the highest bidder(s). Any person or entity incorporated or domiciled in the United States is eligible to bid. The minimum bid quantity is 18 metric tons.

Performance security (the lesser of $50,000 or the total value of the bid) must be submitted with each bid. Potential bidders may obtain the required bid forms and bid instructions from: AARQ Administrator Economic Consulting Services, LLC 2001 L Street, NW, Suite 1000 Contact us for Advertisement & Specs: mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com +92 321 369 2847

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Washington, D.C. 20036 Tel: (202) 466-1150 Fax: (202) 785-3330 Note: Potential bidders should consult regulations in the Official Journal of the European Union to determine the applicable tariff rate on semi-milled/milled rice. AARQ disclaims any responsibility for advising potential bidders on applicable tariff rates. Potential bidders should also consult EC regulations relating to testing for unauthorized GMOs.

CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation today announced the following prevailing world market prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted for U.S. milling yields and location, and the resulting marketing loan-gain (MLG) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2014 crop, which became effective today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). Rough rice prices decreased $0.14 per cwt for long grain and $0.15 per cwt for medium/short grain.

MLG/LDP Rate

World Price

Milled Value ($/cwt)

Rough Rough ($/cwt) ($/cwt)

Long-Grain

17.34

11.00

0.00

Medium-/ShortGrain

16.77

11.29

0.00

Brokens

10.46

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This week's prevailing world market prices and MLG/LDP rates are based on the following U.S. milling yields and the corresponding loan rates: U.S. Milling Yields Loan Rate Whole/Broken ($/cwt) (lbs/cwt) Long-Grain

55.83/12.59

Medium-/Short-Grain 62.39/7.92

6.50 6.50

Contact us for Advertisement & Specs: mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com +92 321 369 2847

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine The next program announcement is scheduled for November 26.

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for November 19

Month

Price

Net Change

January 2015

$12.405

+ $0.405

March 2015

$12.675

+ $0.405

May 2015

$12.925

+ $0.405

July 2015

$13.130

+ $0.405

September 2015

$12.495

+ $0.405

November 2015

$12.395

+ $0.405

January 2016

$12.395

+ $0.405

Could Arsenic Levels in Rice Be Dangerous for Your Kids?

Study finds significant amount of arsenic in rice products that could have an impact on the health of people who consume it.

01:52 | 11/19/2014

Watch Online Clip by following clip: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/arsenic-levels-rice-dangerous-kids27019890?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+November+19%2C+2014&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+ December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

Contact us for Advertisement & Specs: mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com +92 321 369 2847