Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) released the following statement after Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reached an agreement with Chinese officials to begin exporting rice to China for the first time ever.
“The best rice in the world is grown in the heart of Acadiana, with Louisiana rice farmers already contributing more than $700 million to the state’s economic output each year. Expanding rice exports, while ensuring that Louisiana farmers are competing on a level playing field, supports thousands of jobs and generates much-needed economic activity in rice country. I’m glad to see Secretary Perdue and officials at USDA announce the opening of this new market, and I’m confident that Louisiana rice farmers are poised to strengthen our state’s position as one of the world’s leading rice exporters.”
