Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Rice industry tells House subcommittee Indian subsidies and public stockholding threaten U.S. farmers
Loading...
Summary
The USA Rice Federation warned that Indian public stockholding and subsidies have increased imports and displaced domestic sales, citing a USITC study update and urging U.S. enforcement and coordinated trade responses including section 301 actions and multilateral dispute steps.
Peter Bachman, president and CEO of the USA Rice Federation, told the Ways and Means subcommittee that sustained subsidies and public stock holding in countries such as India have distorted world rice prices and harmed U.S. rice producers. "An American rice farmer isn't competing against an Indian rice farmer. They're competing against the Indian government," Bachman said, explaining that subsidized exports flood global markets and depress prices for U.S. producers.
Bachman cited a recent U.S. International Trade Commission section 332 study update requested by the committee and said U.S. rice imports have risen sharply over 21 years and displaced roughly $1.5 billion in domestic sales. He urged the subcommittee to support enforcement actions, cooperative dispute settlement filings with allied countries, and trade remedies where appropriate.
Lawmakers pressed witnesses about possible tools, including targeted section 301 investigations and WTO counter-notifications. Witnesses noted the U.S. had recently filed counter-notifications on rice and wheat subsidies and advised coordinated multilateral cases plus bilateral leverage to secure compliance. Committee members from major rice-producing districts described local economic risk if the trend continues.
The hearing highlighted the intersection of WTO rules, member compliance with notification requirements, and U.S. enforcement options. Bachman and members emphasized that enforcement and dispute settlement capacity matter to protect U.S. farm incomes and mill jobs.
The subcommittee concluded with administrative next steps: written testimony remains in the record and members may submit follow-up questions.
