Cambodia Rejects Rice Contamination Claims by EU

[geovalin]

The Cambodian government and rice exporters have dismissed allegations that rice exports to the European Union (EU) countries are contaminated with rice from Vietnam.
Last week, Oryza reported the EU Trade Commissioner claimed up to 30% of rice imports from Cambodia had Vietnam rice mixed in it. However, the Alliance of Rice Producers and Exporters of Cambodia (ARPEC) and Cambodia’s Commerce Ministry have both raised questions on such claims.
Commerce Ministry representative told local sources that while it is true that some Cambodia rice is processed in Vietnam to match the quality required by EU markets, it does not mean that rice from Vietnam is mixed with Cambodia rice. ARPEC representative alleged that some EU countries are still battling recession and farmers from countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece want the EBA (Everything But Arms) benefits on Cambodia to be removed and re-introduce import tariffs on rice from Cambodia.
Cambodia’s rice exports to the EU surged to around 195,544 tons in MY 2012-13 (October - September), up about 79% from previous year, and Cambodia accounted for about 16% of all rice imports by the EU in MY 2012-13. Overall rice imports by EU member countries increased to a record 1.23 million tons in MY 2012-13, up about 11% from around 1.11 million tons in MY 2011-12.

source

http://oryza.com/news/cambodia-rejects-rice-contamination-claims-eu