Northern Rivers rice growers who lost half their crops in the recent floods say they have been dealt another blow.The decision allows SunRice, based in southern NSW, to retain its exclusive export agreement for Australian riceThe New South Wales government announced the single rice marketing desk would be extended for five years, blocking northern NSW growers from accessing export markets.
Northern Rivers growers say the decision to retain a single rice marketing desk is a kick in the guts for flood-impacted growers. NSW Agricultural Minister Dugald Saunders said the decision to retain a single rice marketing desk provided certainty to most growers. "If you split that up and have different players in the field, what it does is possibly weaken your ability to get the best price overseas.However, he acknowledged that changes could be made to improve opportunities for other rice-growing regions, announcing an independent report into some of the issues raised by the NSW DPI review.
Rice another regulated licence issue in Australia. Firstly should we be growing rice in Australia? Why you selling regulated licences if they have no access to water? Who is the minister responsible?