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Dominican rice producers support DR-CAFTA renegotiation
Dominican rice producers, including representatives from FENARROZ, APRANO, and ADOFA, have expressed unanimous support for President Luis Abinader’s decision to seek a renegotiation of the DR-CAFTA trade agreement with the United States. This support follows the repeal of Decree 693-24, which governed rice tariff treatments.
During a meeting in La Vega led by Agriculture Minister Francisco Oliverio Espaillat, sector representatives requested guarantees to protect national production and food security. Authorities assured producers that rice import controls will remain under current legal frameworks during the negotiation process. The sector and government have agreed to maintain a permanent working session to monitor developments.
Opposition leader Leonel Fernández has criticized the government’s position, claiming the administration has lost the “moral authority” to negotiate due to a significant increase in rice imports during the 2024 election year. Fernández alleged that imports rose from approximately 500,000 quintals to several million, potentially benefiting electoral interests. Meanwhile, agro-industrial businessman Luis Viyella defended the government, dismissing criticisms from former President Danilo Medina as “partisan demagoguery.”
Entities
DR-CAFTA · Dominican Republic · Fenarroz · Francisco Oliverio Espaillat · Francisco Oliverio Espaillat Bencosme · Leonel Fernández · Luis Abinader · Ministry of Agriculture · Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Rice imports increased from 500,000 quintals to approximately six million quintals during the 2024 election year. dandoenelclavo.com · elnacional.com.do · dominicanaaldia.com · lan103fm.com
- [DISPUTED] National rice producers unanimously support the government following the repeal of Decree 693-24. arcodelsur.com · noticiassdn.com · primermomento.com · dicenpuntocom.com · www.diariolibre.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The government repealed Decree 693-24, which concerned rice tariff treatment under DR-CAFTA. arcodelsur.com · elinformante.com.do · noticiassdn.com · primermomento.com · dicenpuntocom.com · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Rice import controls will remain unchanged under current legal frameworks during renegotiations. arcodelsur.com · elinformante.com.do · noticiassdn.com · primermomento.com · dicenpuntocom.com · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Leonel Fernández called for national unity to protect rice production against DR-CAFTA challenges. maguacadigital.com · puertoplatahabla.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Agro-industrial businessman Luis Viyella criticized former President Danilo Medina's comments as political demagoguery. deultimominuto.com · elpregonerord.com · ensegundos.do · sabanetaprimero.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Leonel Fernández claims the government has lost the moral authority to negotiate rice terms with the United States. dandoenelclavo.com · elnacional.com.do · lan103fm.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Authorities and rice sector representatives have declared a permanent working session to continue discussions. arcodelsur.com · elinformante.com.do · noticiassdn.com · primermomento.com · dicenpuntocom.com · +2 more