ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S. — USA Rice Federation said on March 28 that it received a letter from the Grain Board of Iraq confirming that Iraq would modify its tender specifications for U.S. rice to allow private laboratory certification of non-GMO content; accept the USDA/FGIS definition and test for chalky kernels; and, accept bulk shipments of U.S. rice on the condition that the rice is bagged by mechanical means at destination and the vessel is free from rust.  

The letter is available at http://www.usarice.com/doclib/188/134/6685.pdf?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+March+28%2C+2013&utm_campaign=Wednesday%2C+Jan.+25%2C+2012&utm_medium=email

This agreement was reached in November 2102 when USA Rice Europe, Africa and Middle East Promotions Subcommittee Chairman, Terry Harris met with the director general of the Grain Board and members of the contracts committee in Amman, Jordan.  

The meeting was arranged under the auspices of a global broad-based Initiative, funded through the Foreign Agricultural Service's Market Access Program.  Meeting participants included representatives from USA Rice, US Wheat Associates and the North American Export Grain Association.  With these changes U.S. exporters may now be able to make offers on future rice tenders emanating from Iraq.