Arkansas Rice Growers Association

Riceland foods stated in a legal document: the first buyers pass the economic burden of the assessments along to the rice producers (farmers) by paying less for the rice purchased in an amount sufficient to account for the cost of the assessment. The legislation DOES NOT double the current rice assessment. The farmers pay it all now.
Reasearch money is protected at 50% of the total checkoff assessment collectsions, and stays at the discretion of the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion board.
The USA Rice Federation represents milling interests (rice buyers).
The US Rice Producers Association solely represents the interests of the farmers (rice sellers).
This is about the individual farmers right to chose where his promotion money goes. That’s all it is.
Under this Bill, producers will be able to direct the promotional portion of their OWN individual checkoff assessments (this DOES NOT affect research money) to the area that they feel represents their best interests: The USA Rice Federation or the US Rice Producers Association
Another reason for the proposed law is transparency. The USA Rice Federation has refused to answer Freedom of Information requests from farmers on how they spend their money. Arkansas farmers deserve to be able to send their money where they can get answers.
Individual Arkansas farmers do know best how to manage their money. Let them chose.