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href="http://www.cropchoice.com/pf_lead.asp?recid=1523">http://www.cropchoice.com/pf_lead.asp?recid=1523</A></FONT><BR><BR><FONT
face="minion, georgia"><FONT color=#003a00 size=+2><B>The Jasmine Rice
Campaign: Know Your Rights. Know Your Rice</B></FONT></FONT>
<P><FONT face="arial, helvetica"><FONT size=-1>The Jasmine Rice Campaign:
Know Your Rights. Know Your Rice<BR>National speaker tour<BR>April 15-30,
2003
<P>by Laura Millay<BR>ENGAGE
<P>(Sunday, March 23, 2003 -- CropChoice news) -- Living and learning as a
foreigner in Northeastern Thailand, it’s unavoidable to realize the
cultural significance, meaning, and way of life surrounding the
cultivation of rice. The seasons, holidays, and traditions all revolve
around this sacred local wisdom. The word to ‘eat’ even implies to ‘eat
rice’. Being welcomed into their homes to eat with them, it is hard to
hear about the hardships they will face as a result of decisions coming
from the Global North. This realization forces us, as those from the
Global North, to evaluate what role we may play in changing the tide of
development that can force those trying to live sustainably out of their
livelihoods.
<P>What is Jasmine rice?
<P>Jasmine rice is one of the most sought after strains of rice in the
world and known internationally for its fragrance and texture. It is grown
by over 5 million families in Thailand, many of whom are in debt and very
poor. In 1999 the average income of farming households was 26,822 baht
($600), significantly lower than the average household earning of 78,875
baht (about $1800). In recent years, the export market for Jasmine rice
has been threatened by the biotech industry as well as misleading labeling
practices by companies in America. If small-scale farmers in Thailand lose
the markets for Jasmine rice---in particular its main buyer, the US--then
the viability of their livelihood will be threatened in the future. While
Jasmine rice accounts for about 25 percent of Thailand’s overall yearly
rice export, it makes up more than 90 percent of the Thai rice that
reaches America each year. In 2000, Thailand exported 243,000 tons of rice
to the US, 200,000 tons of which was Jasmine rice.
<P>The producers of Jasmine rice are often at risk from the market
fluctuations. Yet the growth in demand for rice over the past decades has
kept the Jasmine market relatively stable and reliable until recently.
Presently, Thai Jasmine farmers continue to confront falling rice prices
and an accumulated debt of over 300 billion baht (about US $7 billion).
Simultaneously, two other powerful forces threaten to devastate their
lives and communities: the biotech research on Jasmine rice in the US and
the inability of consumers to protect their rights due to corporate
labeling privileges.
<P>Biotech Industry
<P>An American scientist, Chris Deren, a professor at the University of
Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has been conducting
genetic research on Jasmine rice. Deren has claimed to obtain a seed from
the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines in
1995. After obtaining the seed, Deren genetically mutated the rice with
gamma rays to make the plant mature earlier and grow shorter. Both
qualities are necessary for making the rice more suitable to the American
climate and for the US preference for mechanical harvesting. The research
is being subsidized by the USDA’s Dale Bumper’s National Rice Research
Center and is being tested in Florida. Deren’s research poses a serious
threat to farmers in Thailand. Currently regular varieties of American
rice sell at $340 US per ton, while Jasmine rice from Thailand sells at
$520 US per ton, a difference of 44 percent. In 2001 Thai Jasmine rice
sales in the US translated to about $120 million. If this $120 million
market diminished then it would have a drastic effect on the Thai rice
export, which would hit Thai farmers the hardest.
<P>Misleading Labeling Practices
<P>In the United States, companies are selling US rice they have falsely
labeled as Thai Jasmine rice. Current US policy allows for virtually any
aromatic rice to be labeled as Jasmine. The Texas company, Rice Tec, for
example, sells US grown rice as "Jasmati", the "American Jasmine". The
rice is in fact Della rice, an American derivative of Italian Bertone rice
and does not actually contain Jasmine rice. In addition, current US rice
standards allow companies to use the term "Jasmine" as a generic term that
can apply to rice grown anywhere.
<P>Petitions have been filed by Indian organizations to the US Federal
Trade Commission (FTC) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
expressing concern over the USDA’s claim that ‘Jasmine’ and ‘Basmati’ are
generic and that the FTC allows deceptive labeling. In turn, the Thai
government filed a petition in 2001 specifically regarding Jasmine rice.
They received a response in October 2002 which stated: 1. The FTC has more
concern for American consumers (than producers); 2. This case does not
have, what they deem, significant material damage; and 3. They made
reference to the USDA classification of Jasmine as generic aromatic rice.
The FTC stated that with these three things in mind, they would not
proceed with the investigation. The Thai government is currently planning
their next approach.
<P>In May 2001, the US Federal Trade Commission ruled that the name
"Jasmine" was generic and it therefore referred to no product or region in
particular. This allows any rice deemed to be "aromatic" and of a certain
texture to be called "Jasmine", even if there is no genetic link between
it and Thai Jasmine rice. The FTC ruling allows misleading labeling
practices to continue. Products such as "Jasmati" attract consumers who
believe they are getting a Jasmine rice product, normally associated with
Thailand when in fact it contains no Jasmine rice. An American strain of
Jasmine rice under the control of large agro-industrial companies would
greatly undercut that market, striking against small-scale farmers in
Thailand who are struggling for survival.
<P>The Right to Know
<P>In order to raise consumer awareness and address this problem the
Educational Network for Global and Grassroots Exchange (ENGAGE), a network
of past study-abroad students, is launching a campaign to educate people
about Jasmine rice. ENGAGE believes that consumers have a right to know
what they are eating, where it comes from, and the stories behind their
food. Deceptive corporate practices infringe on consumers’ right to know;
but for small-scale Jasmine rice farmers, these practices can be utterly
devastating.
<P>The campaign aims to connect people and inspire them to work together
to create a more equitable and fair arrangement between consumers and
producers. In addition, ENGAGE believes that consumers have the right to
make informed choices about the origin of their food and are being
withheld vital information by the American government. Furthermore, ENGAGE
hopes to link Thai farmers with groups and NGOs working on these issues
with American groups and international groups for work on additional joint
actions.
<P>Objectives of the Jasmine Rice Campaign:
<UL>
<LI>Develop a speaker tour bringing Thai farmers and representatives of
Thai organizations to the United States to raise consumer awareness and
to meet with American groups interested in building future working
relationships through the Jasmine Rice Campaign
<P></P>
<LI>Generate awareness among American consumers and local organizations
on the following issues:
<LI>Their rights to make informed consumption choices and the failure of
the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to adequately protect those rights
<LI>Jasmine rice farming in Thailand, and specifically the importance of
rice in the lives of Thai people, hardships faced by Thai farmers
including debt and dependence on fluctuating international markets, the
impact of American consumer choice on the lives and livelihoods of Thai
farmers, the impact of mono-cropping and the Green Revolution on Thai
farmers, and the Alternative Agriculture Network’s (See description
below) movement toward sustainable agriculture and small-scale farming
as a solution to these hardships
<LI>The threat of GMOs to the livelihoods of farmers
<LI>The role of large agro-chemical corporations in perpetuating
farmers’ poverty
<LI>Unfair trade policies and their impact on Thai farmers’ livelihoods;
specifically, provisions in the WTO-TRIPS agreement that allow
ago-corporations to steal crops and markets from small-scale producers
in developing countries. This includes trade agreements on patenting of
plant and genetically modified species, and registering of trademarks
<LI>The impact of US Department of Agriculture regulations that
designate "Jasmine" as a generic term, thereby allowing American
companies to market non-Thai rice as if it were authentic Jasmine rice,
despite the geographical origin, heritage, and significance of the
Jasmine rice in Thai society.
<P>
<P></P>
<LI>Call on the FTC to promote consumer rights by contesting the
designation of "Jasmine" as a generic term
<LI>Create a Fair Trade Network between Thailand and the States to link
consumers with producers
<LI>Build relationships with local American organizations, the Thai
groups, international groups, and ENGAGE to continue efforts to promote
fair trade and global food security</LI></UL>
<P>Who is ENGAGE?
<P>The Educational Network for Global and Grassroots Exchange is an
organization that seeks to involve people in cross-cultural communication
resulting in grassroots action that works toward global social justice.
Through the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) program,
ENGAGE was formed and driven by study-abroad students in Thailand involved
in social conscious programs, ENGAGE actively works for social change on
the local and global level.
<P>Employing the passion of students, ENGAGE seeks to facilitate a global
and grassroots understanding of the notion that long-term solutions come
from connecting individuals, local communities, and organizations with
other groups around the world to build solidarity and work effectively for
change.
<P>We invite you to join with us and Thai farmers in our fight to protect
rice, protect livelihoods, protect our rights as humans to conscious
decisions, and to protect a way of life and culture. Only when we join
together can we build the power to choose the lives we want to live.
<P>For more information on the Jasmine rice issue or how you can get
involved contact:
<P>Laura Millay<BR>> US National
Coordinator<BR>Laura_millay@yahoo.com<BR><A target=_blank
href="http://www.engage-humanity.org/">http://www.engage-humanity.org</A>
<P>
<P>Jasmine Rice Campaign: Know Your Rights. Know Your Rice<BR>National
Speaker Tour<BR>April 15-30<BR>
<UL>
<LI>Mr. Bamrung Kayuta is a Jasmine rice farmer, a leader in the
Assembly of the Poor people’s movement in Thailand and the South-East
representative for Via Campesina, the international peasants’ movement.
He has spoken at the United Nations as a representative of poor people’s
issues in developing countries.
<P></P>
<LI>Mr. Ubon Yuwa is a regional representative from the Alternative
Agriculture Network, working directly with Thai farmers to promote
sustainable agriculture, reduce use of pesticides and chemical
fertilizers, and prevent exploitation of farmers by governments,
corporations, and trade regulations.
<P></P>
<LI>Ms. Chalida Maneepakorn works with the Student Federation of Isaan
to organize socially-active college students on issues such as the Pak
Mun dam, potash mining, and promotion of sustainable agriculture. She is
currently working closely with ENGAGE-Thailand to build Thai student
involvement in the Alternative Agriculture Network and the Jasmine Rice
Campaign.</LI></UL>
<P>Topic: We are looking to find ways for American and Thai groups to
collaborate in addressing issues of unfair trade and the threat of large
agro-business and GMO’s to small-scale farmers world-wide. Talks will be
focused around the Jasmine rice issue, the American designation of
"Jasmine" as a generic term, causes for this designation, trade
implications, and possible solutions. Also, genetic modification and the
theft of indigenous plants by corporations. The speakers will be seeking
organizations interested in helping to set up a Fair Trade Network between
Thai farmers and American communities. In addition, they will be
discussing common problems between American and Thai small-scale farmers
under the WTO, and possible alternatives and solutions.
<P>Program: We envision the main event of a typical program to be a
round-table discussion between members of interested local organizations
and the Thai delegation, to discuss common issues and ideas for possible
future exchange or collaboration. This event will often be preceded by a
public discussion, talk, or slideshow and a question-and-answer session.
The Thai delegation would also like to visit local farms and farmers
markets, to gain an understanding of American farmers’ organizations,
methods of farming, and issues. Other events might include: discussions in
classrooms, participation in conferences, workshops, or panel discussions
with other farmers or organizers, and cultural events.
<P>Funding: We are asking, where possible, for help with funding the tour
including food, lodging, travel expenses, and an honorarium. Please let us
know if you are able to help or have suggestions for where we can find
local funding.
<P>
<P>Description of the Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN)
<P>The Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN) of Thailand grew during the
early 1990s in response to problems of debt and soil depletion that
farmers were experiencing with green revolution technologies. Small-scale
farmers increasingly began to organize together in attempt to solve the
problems created by monocropping and heavy chemical use advocated by the
government and international development community. The AAN began to
promote integrated farming, organic farming, natural farming,
agro-foresty, and self-sufficient farming as solutions to the problems
farmers were facing. Throughout the 1990s more and more farmers joined the
network and today there are over 5,000 farmers in the network practicing
different types of alternative agriculture.
<P>TheAAN promotes self-sufficiency for small-scale farmers and
communities through a number of activities including: sharing different
farming techniques, sharing local seed varieties, developing community
markets and cooperatives, advocacy work and campaign work to affect
government policy, coordinating rural community building through festivals
and celebrations, and solidarity work with other grassroots popular
movements. Two years ago the network began a pilot project to encourage
and support farmers in their effort to move away from conventional farming
techniques towards more sustainable alternatives.
<P>The AAN has built a network of relationships with different like-minded
farmers groups throughout Asia and Latin America, and is seeking to build
relationships with North American farmers groups. </FONT></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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