PM orders halt on rice exports

VNGOVNet – On November 12, 2006, the Prime Minister issued Official Message 1845/CĐ-TTg addressed to the ministries of Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development, Finance; the Chairpersons of the People’s Committees of the centrally-administered cities and provinces; and the Chairman of the Food Association, ordering a temporary halt on exports of rice for the time being. The reason is that since early this year, consecutive natural disasters and the outbreaks of epidemics (particularly brown plant hoppers, and ragged stunt rice disease) in a wide area have caused serious harm to agricultural production, leading to a sharp decline in crop yields. The temporary pause of rice exports is aimed to ensure food security and stabilize market prices.