This is a serious accusation and the RPA vehemently condemned such actions.

We are not aware that the PNC/R has responded to the charge but it should explain its side of the story given the seriousness of the issue.

If the charge by the RPA is true then it is most unfortunate - because if on the one hand all sides have agreed that rice farmers are under severe economic pressure, then the patriotic duty of all, regardless of which political party they represent, is to do things that will help the plight of the rice farmers and the industry as a whole.

The improvement of the rice industry will not benefit only rice farmers but the entire nation, regardless of which political party people support.

It is therefore mind-boggling that anyone would want to go to the extent of trying to prevent rice - a major foreign exchange earner - from entering a foreign market.

But one of the more worrying aspects of the charge by the RPA is that an attempt was made at using race to block the market.

It said there were allegations that Afro-Guyanese rice millers who are in financial difficulties are being discriminated against.

The rice industry is a national industry and although most of its players may be supporters of one political party, all political parties should treat it as belonging to all Guyanese.

They should be sincere and honest in criticisms, rather than trying to use criticisms to score narrow political points for partisan purposes.

It must be conceded that all is not well in the rice industry, but it would be counter-productive to just criticise for political partisan purposes and worse yet to bring further harm to the industry.

The RPA said it "...notes with trepidation the devious attempt of the People's National Congress Reform to stab the industry in the back at a time when feverish efforts are under way to avoid an erosion of the Jamaican rice market."

These are serious charges and the PNC/R, which has maintained it is committed to national development, needs to clear the air on the matter.

The RPA correctly observed: "In this age of declining international prices, unfavourable weather, the loss of the OCT (Other Countries, Territories) route and other threats to our markets, it is expected that forces in the country will avoid actions, which can invite harm to the security of hundreds of farmers and millers within the rice sector and, by extension the entire nation of Guyana."