Harkin Urges Waiver for Japan to Release Imported Rice Stocks for Humanitarian Aid

Press Release

Harkin Urges Waiver for Japan to Release Imported Rice Stocks for Humanitarian Aid

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today sent letters to U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab and Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer urging a waiver for Japan to release imported rice stocks to help alleviate a substantial shortage on the world market. Japan holds approximately 2.4 million tons of imported rice as stocks in storage and unavailable for domestic food use under that government's policy. Harkin is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

"To respond to the urgent humanitarian need, I urge you to work with the government of Japan and with other rice exporting countries to allow Japan to release some of their stocks of imported rice for consumption in other countries through direct donations as food aid or commercial sales to low-income countries," wrote Harkin. "Such a waiver would not release Japan from its WTO rice-importing obligations; however, it would provide measurable results to millions of people for whom a dependable and affordable supply of rice is essential."

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