BEIJING, CHINA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) office in Beijing on Oct. 9 received the draft of a long awaited U.S. milled rice phytosanitary protocol from the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. 
APHIS staff in Beijing is currently translating the document and will transmit a formal response to Chinese officials once they asses the requirements for market entry as defined by the Chinese. 
USA Rice Federation has been working with APHIS on this issue for several years and said it is thankful for their persistence in pressing Chinese authorities to grant access for U.S. rice.